THE RAILWAY CHILDREN RETURN
(PG) 95 minutes
IN the past, the thought of a British film classic getting a remake was just as welcome as a new leadership election.
Modern versions of Get Carter, Alfie and The Ladykillers provide a solid foundation for never tinkering with beloved material.
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But this sequel to the 1970 family gem The Railway Children may have changed your mind.
This old fashioned moviestarring Sheridan Smith and Jenny Agutterhas charm that is lacking in many 21st century dishes for children.
This is so strange that it not only turns back the clock, but also puts it on a sundial.
Sparky hedgehogs
Set in 1944, towards the end of WWIIThree Manchester children are put on a train to the West Yorkshire countryside to escape nazis bombs.
Because their mother has to stay behind, it’s an emotional start to the film – evoking real-life scenes of separation in Ukraine†
Children Lily (Handsome Gadsdon), Pattie (Eden Hamilton) and Ted (Zac Cudby) are sparkling hedgehogs from a Charles Dickens novel.
There are plenty of high jinks, from snatching a chocolate bar to a flour fight, that hark back to the dramas of my childhood. The beautiful, rolling hills, steep stone roads and steam trains add to the nostalgic atmosphere.
Fans of the original will be delighted to see that Agutter, who now plays Bobbie from the original film as a grandmother, is back and in excellent shape. It is Bobbie and her daughter Annie (Smith) who take in the three siblings, unwanted by someone else.
The writers stick to the themes that kept the 1970 film on course, namely truth and justice. When Lily discovers that a young black American soldier named Abe (Kenneth Aikens) is in trouble, she decides to help him, even though it puts her in danger.
Each of the children has a story to tell, all equally important. However, some elements work better than others.
The plot shudders at times, like much of the country’s aging rolling stock. But luckily the pace is fast enough to quickly forget any awkwardness.
And there’s comedic relief from the ever-reliable John Bradley, like a friendly stationmaster, to ease awkward moments. This is a heartwarming homegrown film that proves you don’t need flashy special effects to escape.
McENROE
(15) 104 minutes
You can’t be serious! Well actually it seems John McEnroe CAN be serious.
In this thoughtful look back at his life, the former Wimbledon champion tries to figure out why he was a super rat on the tennis court.
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While many stars apologize for their worst behavior, the New Yorker isn’t trying to blame his childhood or anyone else. Instead, he berates himself for being rude to umpires and attacking a drinks cart.
The key ingredient to a good documentary is honesty and in that regard McEnroe is a winner.
He admits taking drugs and ruining his first movie star marriage Tatum O’Nealby being unfaithful. Some elements have been discussed here many times before, most notably John’s rivalry with the Swedish star Bjorn Borgwhich was the basis for the 2017 film Borg vs McEnroe, in which: Shia LaBeoufu played the American.
But the effect beating Borg had on McEnroe’s career is fascinating. Because reaching the top proved to be the beginning of the end for the racketwrecker.
A sports documentary to love.
EXPLORER
(12A) 140 minutes
SIR Ranulph Fiennes is described by friends as ‘batty’ and ‘crazy’ in this documentary about the life of the British explorer.
And those are the compliments. The 78-year-old record breaker has made a few enemies on the way to legendary status.
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He was taken out of the SAS for hatching a plan to blow up a movie set and took huge risks in his quest to become the first.
This included completing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days — three months after heart bypass surgery. Even after the diagnosis is made Parkinson’s diseasehe continues to tackle mountains.
While most documentaries spawn remarkable lives with additional material, Explorer faces the opposite problem. Director Matt Dyas must go through countless adventures to find time to investigate the man himself.
Fiennes is an intriguing character, which is difficult to grasp. The conclusion Dyas draws is that behind every great man is a great woman. And it is the love for his late first wife Ginny that gives such warmth to this explorer’s investigation.