THE ALMOND AND THE SEAHORSE
UK, 2022, 96 minutes, Colour.
Rebel Wilson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Trine Dyrholm, Cylen Jones, Alice Lowe, Meera Syal.
Directed by Tom Stern, Celyn Jones.
Based on a play, the film has a great deal of dialogue. The meaning of the title – the parts of the brain have their technical names but look like an almond and the seahorse.
The film is about the fragility of the brain, surgery and accidents, partial loss of memory, complete loss of memory, treatment, therapies – and therapies for partners.
The three principal characters are played by an Australian woman, a French woman, a Danish woman…
Rebel Wilson plays an archaeologist whose husband has had brain surgery and has lost partial memory, deteriorating, her seeing the doctor, recording for her husband what has happened, leaving notes, but his being upset, neglectful. He is played by the co-director, Celyn Jones.
The other couple, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Trini Dyrholm, have been together for 15 years that the older partner has been in an accident, lost her capacity for playing the cello, lost her immediate memory. She also sees a doctor, goes into an Institute, the doctor warning her partner away, that she has a bad effect.
The two bereft partners encounter one another, begin an affair, but realise they want their partners back.
The film ends five years after the main events, the archaeologist having become pregnant and giving birth to a son. Her husband having lost his memory completely but very genial in company of wife and son. The cellist is now playing again and her partner visits and reconnects with the archaeologist.
An opportunity for an audience to appreciate the effects of injury to the brain and the consequences of loss of memory for the person suffering as well as for partners and family.
- The title, the parts of the brain, technical names, resemblance to almond and seahorse?
- The reality of the brain, fragility, memory, memory impairment, memory loss?
- The city setting, the work of the archaeologist, homes, the Institute and interiors, the seaside, the final concert and gathering? The musical score?
- Sarah’s story, married to Joe, no children, the removal of the brain growth, his loss of memory, memory, his behaviour, Sarah consulting the doctor, making the recording, leaving the notes, Joe neglecting them, mistaking his medication, phone calls, confusion? Sarah becoming more desperate, wanting a child with Joe, unhappy with the doctor? The advice to go to a therapist? Her relationship with Joe’s sister, Cath and her understanding and encouragement?
- Toni and Gwen, 15 years a couple, Gwen playing the cello, the accident, the loss of memory for 15 years, getting up in the morning, Toni looking after her, the constant demands, Gwen and her angers, not playing the cello? Going to the Institute, the discussions with the doctor, Toni bring the cello, the doctor telling her she had a bad effect on Gwen?
- The encounter between Toni and Sarah, discussions, stories, loneliness, the beginning of the affair, the repercussions for both, wanting to go back to their partners? The travel away?
- Joe, some treatment, but losing more of his memory? Gwen and her becoming more calm?
- Five years later, Sarah and the pregnancy, the birth of the son, Joe not recognising, but being very cheerful the gathering, when playing the cello, Toni arriving, meeting Sarah again? The prospects for their futures?
