The Winter Guest

Ms. Thompson and Ms. Law play mother and daughter on screen in The Winter Guest, and their resemblance adds realism to their emotional wrestling match. Mr. Rickman gives his actors plenty of time to compose the mood of their scenes, which are driven almost entirely by dialogue. ... Full Review

STILTED DIALOGUE Unfortunately, as lively as these two actresses are, they can't breathe life into the often stagnant ``Winter Guest'' and its stilted lines (``A person needs to be needed; if you don't need me, you could lie''). Alan Rickman, a talented actor displaying considerably less talent in his directing debut, hasn't found a way to tell the story cinematically. ... Full Review

Rickman is an actor of rare talent himself, and he uses his insights to extract good performances out of his actors here. All of this is nicely acted, and the interactions between Law and Thompson could easily have made up the entire film. ... Full Review

The Winter Guest is a rare treat - a beautiful cinematic experience and a must-see for lovers of a complex, intelligent film, that is etched into the psyche. There is little that is judgemental in Rickmans film, much that is wise. ... Full Review

Wednesday December 24, 1997 "The Winter Guest" is a beautiful, deeply moving film that teams Emma Thompson with her mother, veteran actress Phyllida Law, and marks an auspicious film directorial debut for actor Alan Rickman . But when all their strands start pulling together you appreciate just how effective the strategies of "The Winter Guest" really are. ... Full Review

Alan Rickman steps behind the lens to direct fellow luvvies Emma Thompson and her mum, Phyllida Law, in a screen adaptation of the play of the same name. ... Full Article

Winter in Scotland is as muted as a wake.The country's so far north, the sun is slow to rise and early to set, and a day can be blindingly bright or always seem like twilight. ... Full Article