Life of Riley
Director: Alain Resnais
Actors: Sabine Azéma, Sandrine Kiberlain, Caroline Silhol
PlotIn the picturesque region of Yorkshire, three couples—Colin and Kathryn, Jack and Tamara, and Simeon and Monica—find their lives intertwined by the impending death of a mutual friend, George Riley. As they rehearse for an amateur theater production, the news of George's terminal illness sends ripples through their seemingly tranquil existences. Colin, a doctor, is responsible for George's medical care, which stirs complications in his relationship with his wife, Kathryn. Similarly, Jack's past connection with George unsettles his marriage to the glamorous Tamara, who struggles with her own feelings for the ailing man. Meanwhile, Simeon and Monica's rocky relationship gets tested further as secrets and old emotions resurface.
Amid the backdrop of the play's rehearsals, the characters confront their own frailties and hidden desires. George's declining health acts as a catalyst, compelling each person to re-evaluate their perspectives on love, fidelity, and friendship. The narrative delicately balances moments of humor and melancholy, capturing the complexity of human relationships and the inevitability of change. The intertwining lives of these couples reveal deep-seated resentments and unspoken affections, all while they prepare for the theatrical performance that ultimately becomes a mirror reflecting their own intertwined destinies.
Writers: Alan Ayckbourn, Laurent Herbiet, Alain Resnais
Release Date: 26 Mar 2014
Runtime: 108 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: France
Language: French
Home Video Reviews
Life of Riley, Resnais' visually hypnotic yet narratively uneven last film, stands as an oddly fitting, if not universally compelling, end to an extraordinary career.
Read our review of Life of Riley Blu-ray Aimer, boire et chanter to find out more