The result of the sudden death of her husband leaves Mary Hussain bereft. Even more shocking is the discovery of his other life across the English Channel.
Married 20 years and a convert to Islam, the childless Mary (Joanna Scanlan) finds herself lost and listless following the sudden death of Ahmed, a captain on the Dover-Calais ferry. Clearing out his belongings, Mary discovers details of a second family across the Channel. Travelling to France, not only does she find herself in the home of Geneviève (Nathalie Richard) but sharing secrets with the teenage son, Solomon (Talid Ariss).
A narrative of few words, the spare After Love is a conventionally structured exploration of family and individuality written by first timer Aleem Khan. But the nuanced performances (particularly from the BAFTA-winning Scanlan) create an almost mesmeric aura to proceedings that keep you wondering just where the story is going next.
Rating: 67%
Director: Aleem Khan
Writer: Aleem Khan
Main cast: Joanna Scanlan (Pin Cushion, Notes on a Scandal), Nathalie Richard (Irma Vep, Never Let Me Go), Talid Ariss (R.I.F., TV’s Les Chamois)
An Opinion or Two 