Directed by : Oliver Hermanus 

I don't have time to get angry. 

Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood and Alex Sharp in 'Living'

Spoilers ahead.. 


Set in early 1950s, and an adaptation of Kurosawa's 'Ikuru', the story is about the people working in the London County Council. Mr. Williams (Bill Nighy) heads up the Public Works department where Middleton (Adrian Rawlins), Margaret Harris (Aimee Lou Wood), Rusbridger (Hubert Burton), Hart (Oliver Chris) and the new recruit Peter Wakeling (Alex Sharp) work under him. One day, Mr. Williams learns that he has got diagnosed with cancer and got maximum of 9 months left to live. He suddenly realises what kind of life he lived all the while and how he wants to enjoy a little finally. 

Through the opening few scenes we learn much like Peter Wakeling, what it's like working at LCC where work takes a long time to get done and the files keep stacking up. It actually reminded me of the government places in India, where they do the same, make you go to various departments and you feel tired after finally the purpose you came for is fulfilled. 

But, this is just a small plot.. the real story begins when Mr Williams who is always punctual to work, starts to suddenly skip coming altogether. He meets a guy, Sutherland (Tom Burke) at a restaurant and decides to tell about his illness for the first time to him. From here, we see how Mr Williams tries to enjoy life doing things the people at workplace can't imagine he would do that ranges from getting drunk, going to a strip-club, singing a beautiful song 'Rowan Tree', buying a new hat etc. Out of all these adventures, that song scene was the only one that I found moving. 

There's this beautiful shot scene where Mr Williams is sitting on couch all alone while his son and daughter-in-law are coming home having some not so good conversation regarding him. The whole family plot of daughter-in-law not happy with inlaws did felt little irritating to watch, almost like I was watching some 'Baghban' or 'Avatar' (hindi one) suddenly. 

The main problem I felt with movie was that the proceedings stay too subtle or restrained specially the lead character of Mr Williams. Bill Nighy is good in his performance, but it never felt like memorable or oscar nomination worthy to me. I do totally love the scene when he's recalling his younger days, probably thinking what he was and what he became at his robotic kind job life. 

Aimee Lou Wood is wonderful, and love the scene where she gets emotional to learn that she's the first person from workplace who is getting to know about Mr Williams illness and why he decided not to tell his own son too. She brings energy into the movie, no wonder we see Mr Williams having the desire to live a life feeling alive like she does. 

I did enjoy that letter Mr Williams sends to Peter Wakeling, whom he clearly sees as his own younger-self so enthusiastic and eager. Mr Williams gives a friendly warning to not end up losing himself in this work field. And the final ending scene with him singing the 'Rowan Tree' song again was a very good choice to finish the story on. 

Overall, Living is a good film but the idea of 'living your life to the fullest till its too late' isn't properly explored. I may give a go to the Kurosawa version to see if that works for me or not. 

My Rating : 6/10