There are very few gerontological movies that focus on old-age institutions or institutional care. As a matter of fact - other than some comedies (e.g. the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel series; Queen Bees; or Some Kind of Heaven), which all focus on "fun" aspects of retirement villages/hotels - I cannot think of any full feature film which focuses on institutional care of older adults (and please do correct me if I'm wrong).
Hence, I had high expectations regarding the British movie Allelujah. This is a 2022 British drama, based on Alan Bennet's play in the same name.
The plot's overall frame is the threat to close down a local geriatric institution due to funding cuts by the national health service (NHS). A group of local volunteers are making an effort to save it from closure - an action which is documented by a local TV station.
Under this broad context we get to know the institution's management, its patients, their family members, and daily interactions and challenges of a geriatric institution. It is impossible to fully describe the plot without spoiling - so I will only say that the plot gets a significant twist towards the end, as a result of the death of one of the residents.
The film stars great actors, e.g. Judi Dench, Jennifer Saunders, Russel Tovey and more - which all do a good job within the limitations of the script.
While the film raises very important gerontological issues surrounding institutional care - e.g. quality of care; public funding; fillial responsibility; and end of life issues - it is disappointing. In an attempt to capture too many issues and make too many messages - the film loses it focus. Its incoherence, and jumble of ideas, makes the viewer unable to understand the main social and gerontological message.
It seems we still need to wait for a gerontological version of the iconic film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
UK
2022
Director: Richard Eyre
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