Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Kiss of Life (2003)

Director: Emily Young

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

While her husband John (Mullan) is away doing aid work in the war-torn Balkans, back in London Helen (Dapkunaite) is trying to keep things together with their two kids and her father-in-law (Warner). Then, before her son's eyes, she's knocked over by a car. Will she survive the accident? And how long will it take John to get home? It's a little hard to pinpoint precisely why this first feature disappoints. Clearly a heartfelt, ambitious attempt to treat the theme of loss and grief, it boasts sterling work from both the dependable Mullan and Dapkunaite. But the other performances are unilluminating and the evocation of South London lends the film an aura of the earnest person's version of Notting Hill or About a Boy. As it shifts solemnly back and forth between reality and dream, past and present, London and Europe, the film gradually gets bogged down in a slightly trite conceit that evidently had more promise than potential.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing