Adeus, June

I've been waiting for the release and finally this movie is here. It's not an Oscar worthy movie and what I love the most that it's not trying to be one. I'm absolutely sure that this movie has it's audience because it portrays very well how a family should say a sweet goodbye to one of it's members. It reminds me of the Netflix's movie "His Three Daughters" (2024) which is also a low budget film which is filled with complicated family dynamics. "Goodbye June" is more complex and has more to offer. I'm very glad that Kate Winslet got a chance to work with Toni Collette (I remember her saying wanting to work with her). Except for being a cast member Kate is also a producer and the director of this movie. Also worth mentioning that her son Joe Anders is the writer, he's 22, imagine that! With that being said I can say that the script is good, the acting is great and the overall experience left a positive impression.

Well done to Kate Winslet on a strong directorial debut. And of course her acting was just right, restrained and yet as always, generous, so that you connect with the character. Really good performances from a stellar cast. And how Kate Winslet directed those kids was a feat in itself. I think the script was ok, I had a flashback of Finding Neverland where the children put on a show for the terminally ill character played by Winslet. None- the-less there are so many terrible xmas movies around that this was worth watching. I look forward to seeing more of Winslet'a directing. PS the editing was really good - a snotty journalist likened the film to an extended John Lewis advert - well, their editing is impeccable too.

How does one circumcise a face? A comment that made me and others laugh. Goodbye June is an engaging, relatable, sometimes funny, sometimes touching, movie that definitely has a feel-good definite ending, which may upset some viewers that think that everything is tied up too nicely at the end. This said, it's meant to be a family and Christmas movie, and the point of watching such movies is often to see situations resolved in the best way possible.

No spoilers. This review is honest, not groveling. I've seen Goodbye June three times in cinemas, noticing new details every single time, before its Netflix December 24 release. Definitely worth a watch in a cinema setting. Coincidentally, I also saw Lee four times when it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

I had incredibly high expectations for Goodbye June, as a huge Kate Winslet fan and already knowing so much about the film. So, I was scared it wouldn't meet my expectations. But I thoroughly enjoyed it, including the non-dialog parts which added a lot to the viewing experience, such as the stealing of a sandwich bite. I liked the different angles, such as from June's point of view (which Kate talked about in an interview). I laughed at parts unexpected, more than the audience who were about twenty years older than me. I'm Canadian and perhaps more expressive. I saw this in Chichester two times, and at the very independent small theatre Lexi Cinema in London.

There were a few unexpected twists which I appreciated, and not given away by any of the trailers. And yes, June really did pass away on her own terms, which can be appreciated in any times such as the approaching passing away of a loved one.

Perhaps a controversial comment, but I found the writing of this screenplay to be more streamlined and better, than the script for Lee which I found to be disjointed at points. Lee could have used some moments to really teach the audience. An example is the rape scene where the line was "next time he does it, cut it off", a complete waste of a moment that could have been used much more powerfully. Maybe this is because several writers worked on Lee. Whereas in Goodbye June, it was just one scriptwriter, Kate's son Joe Anders.

Toni Collette's character was hilarious but also a bit too caricature in some parts, which made it less believable and effective. Though it's obvious her character is initially meant to be humorous, it is stronger when it becomes more real and serious in the latter half.

I liked the duality of some scenes, in other words, parallel things happening at the same time, shown via back-and-forth editing.

Kate's direction was flawless, I would have never guessed it's her directorial debut. I loved the choices of how to show different scenes including the ones with snow. As Kate fans, we all have seen her cry many times. But she did find new ways of crying, as Julia. This said, Kate was not the strongest actor out of the whole stellar iconic cast. I noticed elements of Mare and even April from Revolutionary Road. Speaking of crying, I didn't cry but was close to a tear or two at points. A reason for this is that I was still in shock to see this opening night. I heard sniffles from the audience, and some people I talked to found this movie to be cathartic. There were some people I talked to who didn't find this to be an overly strong movie, so perspectives were mixed.

Regarding nepotism, admittedly this has nothing to do with this rating: Some of us wish that Kate admits that as talented as her children are, the reason they get work is because their mom is Kate. A just-as-talented screenwriter at age 21 can't just have their mom get the movie done, and ask icons like Helen Mirren to star. Nepotism doesn't mean you aren't talented (Joe and Mia are definitely talented), but it means you get way more opportunities to have your work done and seen. Perhaps it's better public relations to just admit this.

But I'm so glad this film was made, by the people it was made by, and starring the people it starred. I especially liked Johnny Flynn (though by the third watch, I found his character to be a bit one dimensional), Timothy Spall, and of course Helen, and even the children were amazing and REAL. But I have to give a kudos to Elias Whittaker who plays Tibalt. Every moment with him on screen was magic, he was just so incredibly real in everything he said and did.

Finally, I'm not sure the movie deserves its 15 rating. Maybe it's because it's a movie about death. I barely noticed any bad words, maybe because they were said in moments that would be real to say them.

June collapses early one morning and is rushed to hospital. Her son and two of her daughters are given the news that her cancer has returned and is untreatable. Eldest daughter Helen arrives, and the siblings' deep problems quickly surface.

Most companies have the idea that Christmas films should be uplifting, heartwarming or fun. Not Netflix. Their idea of a Christmas film is a family feud at the bedside of a dying woman.

I didn't love it, but I did like it. For many, it'll perhaps be a little too close to home. It's reflective, almost painful, but there are some humorous moments and realistic elements too. Grief does strange things - fear and guilt can make people selfish and cruel, often forgetting the person at the centre of events.

The script is very good, with natural dialogue and interactions. June is dying, but still sharp and full of plain speaking. Connor is adorable, a caring, sweet-natured son who's always there. I could easily have locked Molly in the operating theatre. Johnny Flynn is at his best, and fair play to Andrea Riseborough too - so good.

Helen Mirren - what can you say? Only a few months ago she was cracking murders in 'The Thursday Murder Club', looking amazing. Here she presents an entirely different character, and her acting is on another level.

I loved the scene where Jules and Molly finally have to confront one another, and the ending naturally had me in tears. Winslet, Spall, Colette - all on point. You have to credit the casting director for such a strong ensemble.

Nice to see a positive presentation of the NHS. I'm not sure Hallmark will be pinching this formula for its syrupy Christmas films next year. Perhaps it would have been better suited to a random Saturday in August.

Sad, quiet, reflective - a Christmas film very much unlike any other.

8/10.

Goodbye June - a quiet, moving watch

This film had been on my list for a while, so on one of those in-between, no-man's-land days between Christmas and New Year felt like the perfect time to watch it. I'd listened to several podcasts with Kate Winslet talking about her directorial debut, and, well, it's Kate Winslet. A deeply loved actor with an impressive backlog of brilliant work.

This one didn't disappoint.

It's beautifully directed, with themes most of us can relate to and empathise with. There's humour alongside sadness, kindness alongside raw, unfiltered moments - life, really.

One scene in particular stayed with me: her sitting on the floor outside her mother's hospital room with her brother, completely wiped out, hungry, trying to hold it together for her toddler son asleep on her, while quietly battling her own deep sadness. That moment really got me - probably because it felt so painfully familiar and human.

A gentle, honest film that lingers long after the credits roll. Great performances by all involved.