GLENROTHAN

UK, 2025, 97 minutes, Colour.

Alan Cumming, Brian Cox, Shirley Henderson, Alexandra Shipp, Alexandra Wilkie.

Directed by Brian Cox.

Have you ever been to Scotland? Have you wanted to go to Scotland? In the meantime, the scenery in Glenrothan, beautiful all throughout this film, will have to be some compensation!

The setting is a country home and a distillery, run by a family for 200 years. The present manager is Sandy, the welcome presence of actor Brian Cox (who is also directed the film). Cox has portrayed some harsh characters on the big screen and the small screen, Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter, Logan Roy in Succession. But, this film gives him an opportunity to be more benign. He is getting old, unwell, and very conscious that his younger brother left Scotland for America 40 years earlier and has never been back. He wants a reconciliation.

The plotline can be considered fairly predictable, going back over the past, harsh experiences, alienation, but a longing for reconciliation. (Interestingly, a number of reviewers, expecting a tough Brian Cox have been rather dismissive of the plot, some calling it “cosy” at best.) But, most audiences watching Glenrothan and will have hopes for that reconciliation.

The younger brother, Donal, is played by noted Scottish actor, Alan Cumming, who also has the opportunity to sing. There are flashbacks which explain Donal’s leaving, their harsh and demanding father, severe on his son. But, in Chicago, Donal has married, has a daughter and granddaughter, runs a blues jazz club where he is happy – but then, disaster, it burns down.

With a letter from his brother, Donal finally decides to go back, encountering old acquaintances, meeting Jess (a rather fiery Shirley Henderson) who is now managing the distillery, but she was the girl he left behind.

We know that there are programs for family reconciliations, for going back into the past, retreats called. Life’s Healing Journey. And, this is what happens here, an acknowledgement of wrongs, on all sides, the surfacing of intense feelings, continued experiences of uncertainty, and the challenges of age, illness, and the inheritance of the distillery.

Alexandra Shipp plays Donal’s daughter and Alexandra Wilkie is striking as his cheerful young granddaughter.

Yes, a familiar plot, an appeal to our deeper emotions and hopes. And, after some dramatic moments, some joy and relaxation as we are immersed in the Scottish landscapes.

1. The title, Scotland, the mansion, the distillery, the family, family problems, reconciliation?
2. The Scottish scenery, the beauty, inserting scenery sequences throughout the film? The musical score, the songs?
3. Sandy, Brian Cox’s screen presence, directing the film? Age, health, running the distillery? Reliance on Jess? His status, the family and 200 years with the distillery? The past, the influence of his father, the death of his mother, her graveside? His relationship with Donal, age difference, together, differences, observing his father’s treatment of Donal? Donal leaving, absent for 40 years, not returning?
4. Donal, 40 years in Chicago, from his 20s to his 60s, marriage, his wife leaving him, the relationship with his daughter, love for the granddaughter, the bar, the music, Amy singing? A life in America? Not remembering his father? Not wanting to return? No bond with Sandy?
5. The bar burning down, the insurance not paid up, the letter from his brother? The decision to go to Scotland? The fact that his daughter and granddaughter often went and knew Sandy will? The flight, the experience, arrival, the town, sense of alienation, sense of being at home?
6. The interactions between the two brothers, the memories, the flashbacks to their father, the treatment of Donal? His skills with whiskey, his father downplaying them? The relationship with Jess, together, riding together, his leaving, failing to communicate with her?
7. Donal, in the house, the memories, the tour of the distillery, some of the old characters from the past, George and his reaction? Interactions with Jess, the buildup to the flashbacks of his leaving, her marriage, daughter, her place with the distillery? The treatment of Donal? His finding the motorbike restored?
8. Donal, having time, to walk, to think, remember, his mother’s grave, in the woods?
9. The situation, finance, Sandy resigning, the sale of the distillery? The speeches, the announcement?
10. Donal, change of heart, not selling the distillery, Jess being in charge?
11. The financial situation, Chicago, the treasured whiskies, their value, the auction, the high price? Financial difficulties solved?
12. Life’s healing journey, the two brothers, the healing of the past, the reconciliation, the future?