Watch Wetherby

Wetherby is a 1985 British drama film that explores loneliness, human connection, and the unexpected consequences of actions taken in the past. The film is directed by David Hare, who is known for his work as a playwright, and stars an ensemble cast that includes Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Holm, and Judi Dench. The film opens with an idyllic scene of a rural Sunday lunch hosted by Jean Travers (Vanessa Redgrave), a middle-aged woman who lives alone in a beautiful house in the countryside. Despite the lovely setting, Jean appears to be unhappy and distant from her guests, who include a couple played by Tim McInnerny and Joely Richardson, and a local doctor, Robert (Tom Wilkinson).

Jean's loneliness is evident throughout the film, and we learn that this is the result of a tragic event that happened many years ago. As a young woman, Jean had a brief affair with a student named John Morgan (played in flashback by Tim McInnerny), but the relationship ended abruptly when John disappeared without a trace. Jean has lived with the guilt and regret of this relationship ever since.

The film's central events unfold when a young man named John (played by Tim McInnerny's son, Andrew) arrives unexpectedly at Jean's house. John is invited in and starts chatting with Jean, who is initially confused by his presence but soon realizes that John is a different person from the John Morgan she knew in her youth.

The two start to bond over their shared love of literature and philosophy, and Jean starts to open up about her past with the other John. Her story triggers a series of flashbacks that reveal the events leading up to John's disappearance, and we see the impact that this event had on Jean's life.

As Wetherby progresses, it becomes clear that the film is not just about Jean's story but about the interconnectedness of all the characters in the film. We see how the other characters at the Sunday lunch are also dealing with their own issues of isolation and alienation, and how their lives intersect with Jean's in unexpected ways.

One of the most powerful performances in the film comes from Ian Holm, who plays Mike Langdon, a successful businessman who is struggling with his own demons. Mike's story is interwoven with Jean's, and we see how the two characters' lives have been affected by past events in ways they never could have predicted.

The themes of loneliness and connection are explored through the film's beautiful cinematography and haunting score. Director David Hare uses the English countryside as a backdrop to the story, with scenes of lush green fields and rolling hills providing a sense of tranquillity that contrasts with the characters' inner turmoil.

Overall, Wetherby is a moving and thought-provoking drama that explores the complexities of human relationships and the impact of the past on the present. The performances from the ensemble cast, particularly Vanessa Redgrave and Ian Holm, are exceptional, and the film's powerful message about the importance of human connection is one that resonates long after the credits have rolled.

Wetherby is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.