Eddie Marsan gives a wonderfully restrained performance in this poignant and beautifully crafted film from director Uberto Pasolini (producer of The Full Monty).
Marsan plays unassuming council worker John May, whose job it is has been for the past 22 years to locate the next of kin of those that have passed away alone in the South London area.
Taking a great deal of care and time over each case, John approaches his work with the same level of meticulousness one would expect of a detective, which means he cannot now meet the council’s new targets and is to be made redundant following his final case, tracking down the family of his elderly neighbour, Billy Stoakes. We follow John as he travels outside of the city to track down Billy’s family and uncovers a life of mischief, misadventure, love and regret.
Laced with humour and pathos, Still Life has been a real hit at festivals this year, quietly collecting awards for direction and Marsan’s brilliant performance. Through its subtle examination of loneliness, loss, community values and the human connection, Pasolini has produced his most quintessentially English film yet.
