The Sense of an Ending

The Sense of an Ending is a critically acclaimed British drama film that came out in 2017. Directed by Indian filmmaker Ritesh Batra, the movie stands as an eloquent statement on memory, love, and regret. It’s based on the Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Julian Barnes and marvelously marries literature and cinema, encouraging viewers to contemplate the mysteries of life as they unfold.

The central character in the film is Tony Webster, a part effectively and movingly played by Jim Broadbent. Webster is a divorced retiree running a small camera shop in London. He lives a quiet, unremarkable life, punctuated only by occasional visits from his pregnant daughter, portrayed by Michelle Dockery. This monotonous rhythm of life experiences a significant jolt when out of the blue, Tony receives a communication from the mother of an old flame, alerting him to an odd bequeathing in her will.

The movie then thrusts us into the deep end of Tony’s memories, presenting snapshots of his youth and the love that used to be. Tony is intertwined with a complex relationship from his past with Veronica Ford, a character presented with profound shrewdness by Charlotte Rampling. In his youth, Veronica had been his girlfriend and their story was intense and profoundly moving, but it ended in elusive, lingering pain and loss. This narrative from his past comes back to haunt his present, when he is left with Veronica's mother's diary after her death.

As he revisits his past, the movie delves into the subjectivity of memory and its inconsistencies, the selective process with which we remember our pasts. It cogently emphasizes the unreliability of our recollections, suggesting that our memories are often colored by our present perceptions and feelings, rather than being a factual record of events.

Broadbent's portrayal of Tony encapsulates the essence of a man grappling with regret and the poignant rediscovery of his past. Charlotte Rampling, in contrast, exudes an aura of enigmatic aloofness, perfectly embodying the elusive Veronica. Harriet Walter, playing Tony's ex-wife, brings a profound complexity to her supporting role and reminds us that life indeed goes on, irrespective of the ghosts of our past.

The cinematography in the film deserves commendation as it artfully blends the sepia tones of Tony's recollections with the more vibrant palette of his present life. From beautifully shot university days to the gray tones that invade Tony's life in his twilight years, the movie utilizes its visuals to maximum advantage.

The film is more than a tale of romance, evolving into a gripping drama as Tony's life becomes entwined with Veronica's once again, precipitated by her mother’s mysterious will. It is a poignant exploration of remorse, introspection, and the wisdom that can hopefully emerge from understanding and accepting the errors of our pasts.

The director Ritesh Batra, known for his keen sense of storytelling, masterfully unfolds the narrative blending multiple timelines, creating an engaging viewing experience. Although inherently reflective and contemplative, The Sense of an Ending never feels slow or tedious, compelling the audience's attention throughout with its rich dialogue, skilful character development, and moral complexities.

Moreover, the movie’s soundtrack deserves a mention for the mood it creates. The thoughtful and occasionally melancholic music suits the movie's atmosphere perfectly and helps enhance viewers' emotional engagement with the film's gripping narrative.

In many ways, The Sense of an Ending serves as an allegory of life, its surprises and regrets, and the inconsistencies and fallibility of human memory. Even more deeply, the film questions what truly forms our identity and our perception of ourselves and others.

To conclude, The Sense of an Ending is a thought-provoking, elegantly crafted, and compelling drama that leaves an impact long after the credits roll. It is a film rich with layers of meaning, stirring performances, and a depth of emotion that reflects on the human condition, memory, and time in a way that few films do.