Mrs Lowry & Son

This is a simple and quite short film that brings to life one of Britain's most beloved artists and the life that he endured waiting hand and foot on his elderly mother.

Although the film is quite basic the acting of Timothy Spall and, to a degree, Vanessa Redgrave makes the film great. Spall now seems to be able to morph into any different British character, whether real or fiction, and completely make them his own. He must be one of the most understated great actors of our time.

I would like to have seen more of how Lowry came to paint such classics but the film does have a good angle and is really enjoyable.

This is a gem, precious in every way, and makes you wonder how much longer we'll be able to invest this kind of attention and feeling into film. Half a generation more? I'm beginning to understand the internet, ratings, and what they mean about who we are. They point, just not in the right way.

If you go to see this... see it for the performances, and know it's one of those films which will stick with you more than when you viewed it itself- if that makes sense. It's a worthy film alone if you're also an art fan. The film mostly takes place in one room and with that most of its merit I feel is born.

See Spall in his better artist film 'Mr. Turner', however if you must see more- this is a nice companion piece of sorts.

7/10. (Maybe 7.5 ;)

This story is heart wrenching! The mother is a woman who uses every opportunity to put her son down, and I feel genuinely sad and sorry for Mr Lowry.

This is a mesmerizingly slow film set almost entirely in one room..... it could almost be a play. However Adrian Noble thankfully focuses on the two main actors and we are gradually sucked in to their closed little world. Both Spall and Redgrave give towering complementary performances which keep the audience completely entranced from the beginning. Redgrave especially manages to create a relentlessly critical and bitter character without the viewer ever hating her for it.. and Spall has grown into a confident and creative character actor of the highest order. Beautiful cinematography and set design make this film artistically watchable. If you like slow burning drama then this is a treat.