- Year: 1997
- Genre: drama
- Director: Alan Rickman
- Cast: Emma Thompson, Phyllida Law, Sheila Reid, Sean Biggerstaff
- Plot: A recently widowed woman decides to move from Scotland to Australia with her son, but her elderly mother comes to visit her…
The Winter Guest (1997) is a deep and atmospheric drama directed by Alan Rickman, exploring themes of loss, loneliness, and intergenerational connections.
The story takes place in a small Scottish town, gripped by winter’s cold. The main character, Frances (Emma Thompson), has recently been widowed and is trying to escape her grief by planning a move with her son, Alex (Gary Hollywood). Her plans are disrupted by the arrival of her mother, Elspeth (Phyllida Law), who attempts to mend their strained relationship.
Parallel to this, the film interweaves three other storylines: two elderly women who attend strangers’ funerals, two teenagers experiencing first love, and a lonely photographer searching for meaning in his work.
The film captivates with its slow, melancholic atmosphere, stunning cinematography, and subtle yet powerful performances. It is a poignant reflection on family, loss, and the need to accept the past in order to move forward.
The film is based on Sharman MacDonald’s play, premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse (in the Quarry studio theatre, 23 January to 18 February 1995) before transferring to the Almeida Theatre in London (14 March to 15 April 1995).
The film The Winter Guest (1997) can be watched online in English with subtitles:
