#SheReviews Film: Allelujah

Allelujah the movie is an adaptation of Alan Bennett’s 1968 play Forty Years On. A crumbling Victorian ward is embroiled in Britain’s political health system and the hospital The Bethlehem puts up a fight to avoid closure. 

In the film, Dr Valentine (Bally Gill) genuinely cares about his at-risk elderly patients. He is the type of doctor we could only hope for if we end up in a hospital for the elderly. He struggles to protect them facing the never ending challenges. We are all attracted to him for his honesty and passion. He never gives up. The film pays tribute to the difficulties faced by medical staff. 

Dr Valentine’s senior nurse is Sister Gilpin, played superbly by the cheeky Jennifer Saunders. Known as Edina or Eddie for her past role in the TV series 1992-2012, Absolutely Fabulous, minus Patsy. We see Jennifer’s humorous side in this role. Still, another serious side of her character shows she is totally dedicated, over and about the norm, and wants her elderly patients to receive the best of care to the very end.

A mixture of powerful dynamics throughout the movie.  You could feel the anger and frustration between the patients themselves, between staff and patient and family members. 

It highlights the issues of survival that are relevant today with aged care facilities. The dire need for quality services to care for the elderly, the every-growing demand for beds, and nursing staff coping with limited resources

Working in nursing homes in a past life in Melbourne, I could relate to the patient’s pain and frustrations. I learned in my late twenties to listen to the elderly, hear what they say, watch their reactions and respect them no matter their circumstances. 

This film reminds us of the importance of protecting the elderly and the pressures on medical staff to carry out their roles under trying situations. A good movie for everyone to think about and a reminder not be too judgemental as their family and friends shown signs of ageing.   

The Story

Filmed in the UK, Allelujah is a deeply moving story about surviving old age and the dynamics between nursing staff and patients. A geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure. It is warm, humorous and sad as the spirit of the elderly patients highlight the issues of ageing, dying and potentially losing their home to see out their remaining days.

The hospital, affectionately known as The Beth, refuses to give in to the demands of the British National Health Scheme (NHS) and both staff and patients join forces to fight for their cause. An imposing TV crew is hired to film the daily routines and workings of the hospital. But all is not quite as it seems. Towards the end of the movie there is an astounding unexpected twist. 

Through innocent learnings by a patient (played by Judi Dench), while she discovers the means of recording on an iPad, some quite out of the blue behaviours are discovered that lead to a very different turn of events. 

I tended to wonder if it was for the better. But I would like to know that in the end, if we are able, it is imperative we have the freedom of making our own choices.  

Cast and Crew

Director: Richard Eyre

Producers: Damian Jones, Kevin Loader

Writers: Alan Bennett, Heidi Thomas

Actors: Jennifer Saunders (Sister Gilpin), Bally Gill (Dr Valentine), David Bradly (Joe Colman), Russell Tovey (Colin Colman), Derek Jacobi (Ambrose) Dame Judi Dench (Mary Moss) 

In cinemas 6th April 2023

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