Modest, nuanced, gentle, Supernova is the tale of two men in their twilight taking to the road in an old camper van to visit family and friends before the full impact of dementia takes one from the other.
Best of friends Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci convincingly play lovers of 20 years with a lived-in, comfortable feel to Harry Macqueen’s feature. Novelist Tusker (Tucci), a man who has worked with words all his life, stoically struggles with the onset of dementia. But he is coping far more than the emotional Sam (Firth) as they drive through stunning Lake District scenery to stay with Sam’s sister.
Beautifully understated, Supernova struggles occasionally with the raw emotion of its subject but there is no questioning the power of the heartfelt and deeply touching performances from the two leads.
Rating: 69%
Director: Harry Macqueen (Hinterland)
Writer: Harry Macqueen (Hinterland)
Main cast: Colin Firth (Mamma Mia, Operation Mincemeat), Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones)
Interesting fact: Originally, Firth was to play Tusker and Tucci, Sam. It was at the initial readings the two felt they should swop roles.
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