Watch Sometimes Always Never

Sometimes Always Never is an eccentric British comedy-drama film released in 2018. The movie stars the legendary British actor Bill Nighy, who plays the character of Alan, a retired tailor who is obsessed with Scrabble and trying to find his missing son. Alan is a quirky and peculiar character who has an odd sense of humor and an amusing way of speaking. He lives with his other son Peter (played by Sam Riley) and Peter's wife Sue (played by Alice Lowe). Alan is a widower, and he's still mourning the loss of his wife, who died years ago.

The movie opens with Alan traveling to a seaside town to identify a body that's been found on the beach. He's traveled there alone, and it's clear that he's a lonely man. The body turns out not to be his son, but he meets a young man named Jack (played by Louis Healy) who's also looking for his missing father. Alan feels a kinship with Jack and agrees to help him find his dad.

Back at home, Alan plays Scrabble regularly online with his youngest son Michael, who ran away from home after an argument about a game of Scrabble. He hasn't seen or heard from him since. Alan is convinced that Michael is still alive and believes that if he can just find the right combination of words, Michael will come back to him.

Through several odd twists and turns, Jack and Alan form a close bond, and Jack becomes a kind of surrogate son to Alan. Meanwhile, Peter and Sue are struggling with their relationship as Peter has secretly been seeing another woman. The family dynamics are off-kilter, with each member dealing with their own issues and secrets.

The film is filled with deadpan British humor and witty one-liners that Nighy delivers effortlessly. He's a joy to watch as he navigates the ups and downs of his character's life. The other actors are also excellent in their roles, with Sam Riley being especially impressive as the troubled Peter.

The movie is directed by first-time director Carl Hunter, who also co-wrote the script with Frank Cottrell Boyce. Hunter's background is in music videos, which explains the film's unique visual style. The movie is filled with quirky animations, bold colors, and playful cinematography.

The cinematography is particularly breathtaking, with many of the shots framed in unique and interesting ways. The film is set in the north of England, and the locations are stunning. The seaside town where Alan travels to is especially gorgeous, with its crumbling Victorian architecture and breathtaking views of the sea.

The film is also notable for its use of Scrabble as a motif. The game is used as a metaphor for communication and connection, with each family member struggling to find the right words to express themselves. The Scrabble scenes are intercut with flashbacks of Alan and Michael playing the game together, giving the film a sense of nostalgia and melancholy.

Overall, Sometimes Always Never is a delightful film that's equal parts funny and poignant. It's a smart, sophisticated comedy that never feels forced or predictable. The film's unique style and quirky humor are a welcome change from the typical Hollywood fare, and Bill Nighy's performance alone is worth the price of admission. It's a must-see for fans of British cinema and anyone looking for a witty, charming film with heart.

Sometimes Always Never is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 67.