Bill Nighy’s Living, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this year, now has a trailer. In the new film, Nighy plays a terminally ill man who decides to make the most of his remaining time. This new version of Ikiru is a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s original from 1952. The trailer establishes right off the bat that, despite the film’s bleak subject matter, it intends to provide an uplifting experience for its audience. The beautiful photography and uplifting score that welcome viewers at the outset perfectly set the tone for the rest of the film. Nighy’s character, Mr. Williams, is introduced, and the mundane routine of his existence is seen.
Later on, Williams gets reflective as he tries to figure out why he’s not happy with his life and what he can do about it. As he spends time with those he cares about and takes in the world around him, viewers get a feeling of his sincerity. Living is set in London’s post-World War II reconstruction and focuses on Williams, “an impotent cog within the city’s bureaucracy as it attempts to rebuild.” Williams’ life has become “empty and meaningless” after years of a suffocating and tedious job routine and a lonely home.
Williams, however, is dealt a devastating diagnosis that changes the course of events. Williams is adamant about not wasting his remaining time in this world and wants to make the most of his life. Early reviews for Living, which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, were positive. In her overall review, Maggie Lovitt rated the picture an A-, singling out the performances, the director, and the cinematography as particularly noteworthy aspects. She cites the show’s frequent questioning of its audience as a particular strength of Living “This film’s gloomy tone encourages viewers to contemplate the mark they hope to make on the world once they’re gone.
It’s gorgeous and eerie, and Nighy provides a phenomenally poignant performance as he struggles with the aftereffects of a life lived, but not lived fully.” Nighy was interviewed by Steve Weintraub, who asked him several questions about the movie and how he had prepared for it. Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich served as inspiration for both Ikiru and Living. Kazuo Ishiguro penned the screenplay, while Oliver Hermanus helmed the film. Sandy Powell did the costuming, Emelie Levienaise-Farrouch did the music, Jamie D. Ramsay SASC did the photography, and Helen Scott did the production design. Starring alongside them is Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, and Tom Burke. On December 23 cinemas will start showing the film Living.