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Closing the Ring is a 2007 romantic drama film directed by Richard Attenborough and starring Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer, and Dylan Roberts. The film is set both in World War II and the early 1990s, with a story that intertwines the past and present. The movie begins with Ethel Ann (MacLaine), an elderly woman living in America, receiving a phone call informing her of the tragic death of her husband, Jack, a former American pilot. The news throws Ethel Ann into a state of shock, and she becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about the circumstances of her husband's death.

The story then jumps to Ireland in 1944, where Ethel Ann is introduced as a young woman working in a factory. She meets and falls in love with Teddy (Roberts), a handsome and charming American pilot stationed in the area. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Teddy is already engaged to Ethel Ann's close friend, Maureen. After Teddy's plane crashes and he is presumed dead, Ethel Ann discovers that she is pregnant with his child and decides to raise the baby on her own.

Jumping again to the present day in 1991, we meet Marie (Naomi Battrick), the granddaughter of Ethel Ann and Jack. Marie is studying in Belfast when she meets and falls in love with a fellow student named Tom (Martin McCann). Meanwhile, Ethel Ann enlists the help of her long-time friend, Arthur (Plummer), to try and track down Teddy's family so she can finally put to rest the mystery surrounding her husband's death.

The film is ultimately about the legacies left behind by those who have departed and the ways in which they continue to shape the lives of their loved ones. It is a moving examination of love, loss, grief, and the importance of family connections.

Attenborough directs the film with sensitivity and skill, making use of both the stunning Irish countryside and the harsh realities of war to create a vivid and emotional portrait of the characters and their experiences. The performances from the talented cast are all excellent, particularly MacLaine, who brings a nuanced combination of strength and vulnerability to her portrayal of Ethel Ann.

Overall, Closing the Ring is a beautifully crafted film that will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced loss or felt the deep connections of family and love. Its mix of historical drama and contemporary romance is handled with subtlety and grace, resulting in a moving and meaningful work of cinematic art.

Closing the Ring is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.