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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:64

Fresh:43

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.2/10

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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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The movie reaches for an emotional climax that is simply beyond the filmmakers' grasp.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
04/14/06
John Hartl
John Hartl
Seattle Times

The social, economic and personal stresses don't seem very surely addressed by the big swim.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
04/14/06
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Mullan makes the journey more than worthwhile, but don't go in expecting profundity.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
04/14/06
Mike Russell
Mike Russell
Oregonian

A lesser film, kindhearted, a wee bit weepy and a wee bit trite.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
04/14/06
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Does any of this work? Sure, but only through the graces of a cast that knows better than to play to our hearts.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
04/14/06
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

A thoughtful, thoroughly engaging portrait of fractured family and friends pulling together for an impossible dream.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
04/14/06
David Germain
David Germain
Associated Press

takes its sweet time developing the story and characters, but delivers a fantastic ending that makes the journey to get there worth it

Full Review Source: WaffleMovies.com | comment Comment
04/14/06
Willie Waffle
Willie Waffle
WaffleMovies.com

Every time `On a Clear Day' threatens to turn gooey - which is often - the camera finds the craggy face of the picture's star, Peter Mullan.

Full Review Source: Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) | comment Comment
04/14/06
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL)

Mullan always looks as if he's about to explode -- sometimes he does -- and he's in good enough shape to make the aquatic conceit believable.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
04/13/06
Peter Rainer
Peter Rainer
Christian Science Monitor

The symbolism in On a Clear Day makes it more than just another underdog story, and the movie is less reliant on warm and fuzzy Hollywood- isms than other films of its kind.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
04/13/06
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic

The flick is buoyed by some heartfelt moments and a talented cast, but it all gets bogged by a just-add-water plot that dog-paddles down every expected path.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
04/13/06
E! Online

It's the rare exploration of a misunderstood love between a father and son who, by not knowing how to live with each other, find they must live apart if they can't escape the past.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
04/13/06
Paula Nechak
Paula Nechak
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

It presses most of the right feel-good buttons.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
04/13/06
Philip Wuntch
Philip Wuntch
Dallas Morning News

Like a soggy and less compelling iteration of The Full Monty.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
04/13/06
Jessica Reaves
Jessica Reaves
Chicago Tribune

On a clear day, to misquote the old Broadway tune, you can see the cliches.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
04/13/06
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

[B]rutally, bleaky funny, in a way that makes you want to cry more than laugh. It is, in a word, brilliant.

Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | comment Comment
04/12/06
MaryAnn Johanson
MaryAnn Johanson
Flick Filosopher

On a Clear Day isn’t the best of the genre, but I can’t deny it got to me.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
04/10/06
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper

Finding similarity in a child overcoming a handicap and a former laborer trying to get his groove back is a notion far more insane than choosing to swim the English Channel.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
04/10/06
Brett Buckalew
Brett Buckalew
FilmStew.com

I certainly know what I’ll be telling my Auntie to see the next time she tells me they don't make 'nice movies' anymore.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/10/06
Anne Gilbert
Anne Gilbert
Filmcritic.com
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
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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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