A sad but compelling film, very English, which is odd given that it's written and directed by Count Uberto Pasolini.In a south London borough, John May's job is to deal with people who die with no known family. He tries to track down friends and relatives, organises the funeral at which he is the only mourner and, if no one appears to claim them. disposes of the ashes. He takes great pride in his work. He has no family himself, no friends or life outside his work, living in a spartan council flat on scratch meals and keeping up a photo album of all his 'clients'. He must know that he is likely to end up like them.One day a man's body, Billy Stoke, is found in another flat in the block, having lain there for weeks. John is determined to find the daughter he sees in the man's photo album. Even losing his job when his office is merged with that of a neighbouring borough by his obnoxious boss doesn't deter him. He travels the length and breadth of the country till he finds the young woman along with another daughter the man never even knew existed, even some old friends of Billy's.This is almost a one-man show for Eddie Marsan as John and he is magnificent with his world-weary face.It isn't a barrel of laughs!
Susan Kelly ● 4183d