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Movies / On DVD / On A Clear Day
On A Clear Day

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On A Clear Day (2006)

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Reviews Counted:8

Fresh:7

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.7/10

Consensus: Another blue-collar inspirational feel-good British dramedy, On A Clear Day succeeds on the strength of lead actor Peter Mullan's performance and Gaby Dellal's competent direction.

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls... Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls of sentiment through a self-deprecating humor that recalls THE FULL MONTY in tone and theme, as well as a stunning performance from Peter Mullen (YOUNG ADAM) as protagonist Frank Redmond. After 40 years of working as a shipbuilder, the somewhat taciturn Frank has been "made redundant" and let go from his job. He finds himself utterly unmoored without the routine and trappings that have defined his existence for so long, and suffers a loss of self-respect that he is unable to talk about with his loving wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), and son, Rob (Jamie Sives). Floundering, Frank becomes obsessed with the idea of swimming the Channel, and undertakes the project with the help of Chan (Benedict Wong, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS), the owner of the local fish-and-chips shop, who becomes Frank's personal trainer. His three best mates (Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, and Ron Cook) sign on for the ride as well, each discovering new strength in themselves along the way. But it is Frank's relationships with his family that are the most moving part of the film, as he deals with the demons that have hounded him for over 20 years and rediscovers the bonds he shares with his wife and his long-estranged son. [More]

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, Jamie Sives, Ron Cook, Benedict Wong, Jodhi May

Director: Gaby Dellal

Director: Gaby Dellal
Screenwriter: Alex Rose
Producer: Sarah Curtis, Dorothy Berwin, Bill Allen
Studio: Focus Features

[See More Credits]

Reviews for On A Clear Day

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1 - 8 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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It plays a risky game, switching tone from domestic drama to political point-making to broad comedy to sticky sentiment in a matter of moments, rounding everything off with a perfect ending that will make grown men weep.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
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A pleasantly predictable film which ultimately demonstrates rather less ambition than its protagonist.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Anna Smith
Anna Smith
Time Out
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Though the story is filled with familiar strokes, sensitive direction and quality acting give it emotional depth.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
08/30/05
Matthew Leyland
Matthew Leyland
BBC
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Nothing in On a Clear Day is especially compelling. The movie doesn't dig deep enough.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
04/14/06
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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Set in and around the dockyards of Glasgow, On a Clear Day follows a laid-off shipbuilder who decides to fix his life by swimming the English Channel.

comment Comment
04/07/06
Jeannette Catsoulis
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
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Sweet-natured, if somewhat familiar, On a Clear Day features fine performances by Mullan, Blethyn and Sives. Dellal and cinematographer David Johnson paint an inviting picture of Glasgow.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
04/07/06
Carina Chocano
Carina Chocano
Los Angeles Times
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The kind of drama that British television used to do so well, a well-constructed, smartly observed story of ordinary people learning how to communicate with one another.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
08/07/05
Ray Bennett
Ray Bennett
Hollywood Reporter
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Dellal milks the funny business for maximum laughs without making any of the central characters devolve into caricatures.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
04/02/05
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
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1 - 8 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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January 31, 2006: Tackling male mid-life crisis in such a manly fashion should work. Opens in new window
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