Ordinary Love – A Solid Middle-Aged Love Story

When put in the right hands, a film can succeed and Ordinary Love is the latest example of this thanks to its stars Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson. Their chemistry and screen presence help sell this very human love story that never rang false that would ultimately be tested. They certainly bring their best in what was a compelling though relatively short watch that does just enough to get by. It’s slow and grounded approach will definitely not be for everyone as it wasn’t overly flashy but this was where the film excelled in its depiction of a real relationship and its many ups and downs. Considering those involved and the fact that this couple has clearly already been through a lot to that point, it’s easy to simply want more of it, if only to give the characters more development as the film only alludes to past adversity that impacted the events of the film in the subtlest of ways.

If it wasn’t already clear, Ordinary Love was about a middle-aged married couple named Joan (Manville) and Tom (Neeson) who have their seemingly ordinary lives (hence the title). They’ve been married for a long time, developing a level of comfort with one another and it was this relatability and level of authenticity that made it easy to connect with them. Unfortunately, their lives would be turned upside down once Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer. This ordeal would not be easy for the two of them as it would test their limits as a husband and wife. Of course they had their usual little issues but Tom put those aside in favor of tending to his wife which wasn’t always easy for him, having to give up his own life in the process (but he did that because he loved Joan). As he watched her struggle through a winding road of surgeries and chemotherapy, he had to come to terms with the fact that there was only so much he can do as her caregiver. While the film was about a couple dealing with cancer with plenty of heartbreaking moments for both Joan and Tom, this was Joan’s film.

Meanwhile, Joan’s character arc and internal conflict, going from confusion, to unease, and finally acceptance and understanding was gripping to watch as it certainly does not shy away from the full cancer patient experience. There’s obviously the tests but there’s also a palpable sense of community within the hospital environment. Joan found refuge in a figure from her past and a fellow cancer patient named Peter (Wilmot). With him, she could really share her experiences in a way that she probably couldn’t with Tom (the contrast between scenes with Peter and Tom was evident). The script would feature plenty of these little moments like this throughout the film. In the end, while things may have seemed grim with Joan and Tom, love prevails over all which was truly a beautiful message.

The best part of Ordinary Love was its extraordinary performances by Manville and Neeson and Joan and Tom respectively and their extraordinary chemistry. The film lived or died based on the believability and relatability of the couple at its center and Manville and Neeson certainly did their job here. Manville was the heart and soul of the film, carrying the majority of the emotional weight with a subtly powerful performance that may not have used as many words but it still conveyed her inner pain in spades through the slightest of facial expressions. Meanwhile, Neeson as Tom proved that he can still play dramatic roles, showing strength when needed while handing the reins to Manville. He could have been given more to do but his empathetic husband played was also compelling to watch.

At the end of the day, Ordinary Love will surely satisfy fans of acting as Manville and Neeson get the most out of this middle-aged love story but one can’t help but to want more.

*still courtesy of levelFilm*

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.