Still Life

Name: Still Life
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: January 16, 2015
Duration: 92 min
Rating: 45

2015

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Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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Still Life

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Movie Details & Credits

Tribeca Film | Release Date: January 16, 2015 | Not Rated

Summary: Life for the unassuming John May (Eddie Marsan) has always revolved around his work for the local council in South London, finding the next of kin of those who have died alone. Profoundly dedicated to his work, he believes that everyone deserves a dignified exit, and writes eulogies and organizes funerals for those who wouldn't have themLife for the unassuming John May (Eddie Marsan) has always revolved around his work for the local council in South London, finding the next of kin of those who have died alone. Profoundly dedicated to his work, he believes that everyone deserves a dignified exit, and writes eulogies and organizes funerals for those who wouldn't have them otherwise. But when a new case – an elderly alcoholic in a flat directly opposite his own – hits him harder than usual, he journeys outside London to track down the man's long-abandoned daughter (Joanne Froggatt). Against the odds, the two lonely souls are drawn to each other – and John's outlook starts to open to life's possibilities. [Tribeca Film]… Expand

Director: Uberto Pasolini

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 92 min

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Critic Reviews

Empire Staff (Not credited)

Feb 2, 2015

Beautifully crafted and exquisitely observed with an outstanding performance from Eddie Marsan in the lead. Read full review

Sara Stewart

Jan 15, 2015

Director Uberto Pasolini (“Machan”) has a gem in Marsan, a virtuoso actor who plays the role delicately where another might have laid on the pathos too thick. Read full review

Wes Greene

Jan 12, 2015

Its fixation on life's quotidian aspects gives way to a less imaginative focus on an inevitable and overly familiar romance. Read full review

Joe McGovern

Jan 14, 2015

The plot begs for a jolt of the Charlie Kaufmanesque — it's so pillow-smothered by tedium that even the uplift of magic realism in the film's final shot seems cold and stiff. Read full review

The Playlist Jessica Kiang

Jan 12, 2015

The inescapably precious Still Life doesn’t deal in anything as truthful, complex and difficult as empathy; its only currency is pity, and that is the basest coin of all. Read full review

Jonathan Kiefer

Jan 13, 2015

When it's all over, Still Life feels disembodied and perfunctory, like a very respectful eulogy for no one in particular. Read full review

David Rooney

Jan 15, 2015

The fragile film’s bid for poignancy is so aggressive and its sensitivity so studied that it eventually drowns in syrupy banality. Read full review

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User Reviews

aurora1

Jul 9, 2015

This amazing little movie with a big heart proves once again that you don't need either expensive productions or famous actors to find Beauty. A delicate, tiptoed journey around human solitude, with an unexpected, heart-warming ending. Outstanding performance by Eddie Marsan.

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wornoutspines

Apr 2, 2015

Still Life is a surprising little film brought to us by writer-Directer Uberto Pasolini, it was shot in 2013 and finally made its way to me and I'm glad that I decide to see it. The film depicts the life and work of John May (Eddie Marsan) a council worker looking for the living relatives ofStill Life is a surprising little film brought to us by writer-Directer Uberto Pasolini, it was shot in 2013 and finally made its way to me and I'm glad that I decide to see it. The film depicts the life and work of John May (Eddie Marsan) a council worker looking for the living relatives of those found dead and alone. I know, it sounds fun, but trust me this film is much more than what it seem.

At the first, it looks like it's about death and funerals, which it is, but it's in no way depressing, it's more a tale of life, love, and the afterlife. Still Life is quirky and exotic in its unusualness. John May is a bit weird, socially awkward, and very much feel out of touch with the modern world but he's also a sweet and caring man, who is meticulous at his job easily making the people he interacts with seem even sweater, or worse depending on how they behave around him.

Despite its heavy themes Still Life has moments of relief, it's funny at times and gets uplifting. It's a movie that sneaks up on you to reach into your heart. Eddie Marsan gives a quiet but poignant performance in this film, I was drawn to his authentic portrayal of John May, a compassionate character you can't help but love. Uberto Pasolini delivered a thought-provoking film with limited camera, letting the story take a life of its own.

Still Life is a thoughtful little film shining a light on a peculiar job but also on human relationships, the people we knew and lost touch with, those who sometimes are forgotten and need to be remembered. @wornoutspines… Expand

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frannorthstar

Jan 29, 2019

Poignant, simple script and acting allowing thoughts if the act of death is actually all that important and how much so…

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