Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds star as Stella and Gerry, a retired couple from Glasgow whose Midwinter Break in Amsterdam turns into a time to face troubles in their marriage. The film, directed by Polly Findlay in her first feature, adapts Bernard MacLaverty's 2017 novel. It looks at how past pain from their days in Belfast comes back after years together. They deal with loss, faith, and what their future holds.
Key Takeaways
- Lesley Manville plays Stella, a woman haunted by a shooting in Belfast that ended her pregnancy; Ciarán Hinds is Gerry, her husband who hides his drinking.
- Polly Findlay, known for stage work at the National Theatre, makes her movie debut with this slow-paced story.
- The script comes from author Bernard MacLaverty and writer Nick Payne, keeping the book's focus on quiet talks and silences.
- At 90 minutes, the film uses close shots on faces and a simple score to show their emotions.
Background
Stella and Gerry left Belfast long ago. A tragic event changed everything. Stella got shot while pregnant. She lost the baby. That pain shaped their lives. They moved to Glasgow. Now retired, they live a steady routine. But inside, things simmer.
The story starts with their trip to Amsterdam. It's meant to be a short holiday. Stella wants time alone. Gerry drinks too much. Small fights build. Memories flood back. The Begijnhof, a quiet spot in the city, draws Stella in. It's an old place for women seeking peace. She feels pulled toward a religious life there.
Bernard MacLaverty wrote the novel after a visit to Amsterdam in 2001. He found the Begijnhof by chance. Its silence stuck with him. Years later, he turned that into this book. Praise came from writers like Colm Tóibín. He called it a story of emotional truth about love and pain.
Polly Findlay steps from theater to film. She's directed hits at London's National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Won an Olivier Award for her stage work. Producers saw the book as a chance for real, grown-up cinema. Guy Heeley, one of them, pushed for the project.
And the cast fits perfect. Manville has an Oscar nod from Phantom Thread. Hinds shone in Belfast. MacLaverty knew Hinds from past work on a TV drama called Hostages. He trusted both to bring Stella and Gerry to life.
Key Details
The film runs 90 minutes. Shot in the Netherlands and UK. Julie Lamberton joins in a smaller role.
The Couple's Story
Stella and Gerry walk Amsterdam streets. Canals reflect their talks. Stella thinks of her promise from years back. She wants to join the Begijnhof nuns. Not fully a nun, but live there in devotion. Gerry resists. He loves her. But his drinking worsens. He hides bottles. Fills them with water to fool her.
Flashbacks show young Stella and Gerry in Belfast. Gunfire. Hospital rush. The loss hits hard. Present day mixes with that pain. Stella prays more. Questions God. Gerry jokes to cope. But cracks show.
Findlay keeps it simple. Close-ups catch every glance. Every pause. Hannah Peel's music adds feeling without overdoing it. The pace matches their age. Slow. Thoughtful. No rush.
Manville shows Stella's drive. She's set on change. Fights guilt from the past. Hinds plays Gerry with warmth and flaws. Comfortable in marriage. Ashamed of his habits. Their scenes feel real. Like watching old friends argue.
"What would I like people to take away from the film? That love is a long journey." – Bernard MacLaverty
MacLaverty worked on the script with Nick Payne, who wrote We Live In Time. They kept the book's intimacy. No big twists. Just life. The reveal of the shooting builds slow. Some say it's too obvious. But the acting carries it.
Findlay gives space to performers. Her theater background shows. Faces tell the story. Amsterdam settings add mood. Cold winter light. Warm rooms. Distance between them grows, then shrinks.
This fits into trends in quiet dramas. Like Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming hits with real stories. Or Fremantle's format deals expanding emotional tales. British acting shines here, much like in BBC's BAFTA moments.
What This Means
Midwinter Break speaks to older couples. Marriage lasts decades. Pain doesn't fade easy. Faith plays a role. Stella's pull to religion tests their bond. Gerry's love holds firm. But change looms.
It shows how places stir old feelings. Amsterdam's calm hides their storm. Viewers see imperfect people. No heroes. Just humans. The film asks what keeps love going. Promises? Habits? God?
For filmmakers, Findlay's debut matters. Stage directors often succeed in intimate films. Her control of pace and actors sets a mark. MacLaverty sees new sides in the screen version. Stella's fire. Gerry's sly ways.
Audiences get a mirror. Long marriages face tests late. Loss lingers. But connection endures. The story ends open. They face choices. No easy fix.
This could draw festival crowds. Art house fans love these tales. Manville and Hinds boost appeal. Expect talks on aging, grief. And that long journey of love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who directed Midwinter Break?
A: Polly Findlay directs in her feature debut. She's from British theater with Olivier wins.
Q: What is the film based on?
A: Bernard MacLaverty's 2017 novel of the same name. He co-wrote the script with Nick Payne.
Q: Where does the story take place?
A: Mostly Amsterdam, with flashbacks to Belfast and life in Glasgow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Midwinter Break?
Polly Findlay directs in her feature debut. She’s from British theater with Olivier wins.
What is the film based on?
Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel of the same name. He co-wrote the script with Nick Payne.
Where does the story take place?
Mostly Amsterdam, with flashbacks to Belfast and life in Glasgow.
