Sunset Song – Review

The venerable filmmaker Terence Davies feels like one of Britain’s best kept secrets. Consistently releasing inspiring, subtle movies and gathering a rather devoted following in the process, he’s by no means a household name, but following on from his latest endeavour, Sunset Song, you can’t help but feel that he really ought to be. This glorious adaption of Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s renowned piece of Scottish literature is a profound, striking and sumptuous piece of cinema.

Set during the early years of the 20^th century, Chris Gutherie (Agyness Deyn) doesn’t seem to have an awful lot of luck, watching on as her mother (Daniela Nardini) passes away, and her aggressive father (Peter Mullan) continues to bully and intimidate her brother, Will (Jack Greenlees). But this young woman’s optimism is contagious, and she is rewarded when she encounters her new neighbour Ewan Tavendale (Kevin Guthrie), only to fall in love with dreams of starting a family of her own. But that could all be about to change when the First World War begins.

In spite of the tragedy and drama that ensues within this narrative, there’s a distinctive serenity to the picturesque landscape, which contradicts with the horrors of war. It’s imperative this be the case, as we’re not only studying this woman’s relationship with her family, but with the land. She’s a great entry point into this tale too, with a blissful, pure outlook that rubs off on the viewer. Deyn is wonderful in the leading role, and though still a little raw in the more emotionally rich sequences, there is more than enough to suggest a prosperous career in cinema beckons. She brings something almost saintly to this role (enhanced by the fact Deyn narrates proceedings in the third person), and yet all the while remains so relatable and human. For Sunset Song is a naturalistic coming-of-age drama at its core, and it’s a production that Davies had wanted to bring to the silver screen for a remarkable 15 years. But his (and our) patience has finally been rewarded, as this is a nuanced, well-paced and meticulously crafted film that is another to add to what is a truly impressive back catalogue.