''Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool'' is a 2017

biographical A biography, or simply bio, is a detailed description of a person's life. It involves more than just basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death; it portrays a person's experience of these life events. Unlike a profile or curric ...

romantic drama Romance films involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion (emotion), passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their ...

film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring

Annette Bening Annette Carol Bening (born May 29, 1958) is an American actress. With a career spanning over four decades, she is known for List of Annette Bening performances, her versatile work across screen and stage. Bening has received List of awards an ...

and

Jamie Bell Andrew James Matfin Bell (born 14 March 1986) is an English actor. He rose to prominence for his debut role in ''Billy Elliot'' (2000), for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, becoming one of the youngest winners of ...

, with

Vanessa Redgrave Dame Vanessa Redgrave (born 30 January 1937) is an English actress. In her career spanning over six decades, she has garnered List of awards and nominations received by Vanessa Redgrave, numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony A ...

and

Julie Walters Dame Julia Mary Walters (born 22 February 1950), known professionally as Julie Walters, is an English actress. She is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a Go ...

. It is based on the memoir of the same name by Peter Turner, which tells of his relationship with Academy Award-winning American actress

Gloria Grahame Gloria Grahame (born Gloria Penelope Hallward; November 28, 1923 – October 5, 1981) was an American actress. She began her acting career in theater, and in 1944 made her first film for MGM. Many biographies indicate she was born Gloria Graham ...

in 1970s

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

and, some years later, her death from stomach cancer. The film premiered at the

Telluride Film Festival The Telluride Film Festival (TFF) is a film festival held annually in Telluride, Colorado, during Labor Day, Labor Day weekend (the first Monday in September). The 51st Telluride Film Festival, 51st edition took place on August 30–September ...

on 1 September 2017. It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 November by

Lionsgate Lions Gate, Lion Gate or similar terms may refer to: Gates *Lion Gate at Mycenae in Greece *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the ancient Hittite city of Hattusa, now in Turkey *Lion Gate, one of the entrances to the gardens of Hampton Court Pala ...

and in the United States on 29 December by

Sony Pictures Classics Sony Pictures Classics Inc. is an American arthouse film production and distribution company that is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment. It was founded in 1992 by former Orion Classics heads Michael Barker, Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloo ...

. At the 71st British Academy Film Awards, it received three nominations: Best Actress (Bening), Best Actor (Bell) and Best Adapted Screenplay. The film received generally positive reviews.

Synopsis

In medias res A narrative work beginning ''in medias res'' (, "into the middle of things") opens in the chronological middle of the plot, rather than at the beginning (cf. '' ab ovo'', '' ab initio''). Often, exposition is initially bypassed, instead filled i ...

'', in October 1981, Gloria Grahame is playing the lead role, Amanda, in ''

The Glass Menagerie ''The Glass Menagerie'' is a memory play by Tennessee Williams that premiered in 1944 and catapulted Williams from obscurity to fame. The play has strong autobiographical elements, featuring characters based on its author, his histrionic mo ...

'' in

Lancaster Lancaster may refer to: Lands and titles *The County Palatine of Lancaster, a synonym for Lancashire *Duchy of Lancaster, one of only two British royal duchies *Duke of Lancaster *Earl of Lancaster *House of Lancaster, a British royal dynasty ...

and takes ill. She calls upon a former lover, Peter Turner, who reluctantly takes her to his parents' home in

to recuperate. Back in 1979, in the twilight of her once-prolific and Academy Award-winning career, Gloria is playing the role of Sadie in

W. Somerset Maugham William Somerset Maugham ( ; 25 January 1874 – 16 December 1965) was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German un ...

's ''Rain'' in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

and asks another tenant at her boarding housePeterto practise dancing disco with her. Gloria is flirtatious with Peter, who is also an actor. They see '' Alien'' together, have a drink together afterward, and strike up a friendship. After an argument, their relationship becomes

intimate Intimate may refer to: * Intimate examination, a physical examination for medical purposes that includes examination of the breasts, genitalia, or rectum of a patient * Intimate ion pair, the interactions between a cation, anion and surrounding so ...

, despite their noticeable age difference. In October 1981, Peter's parents are still expressing support for Peter and Gloria's friendship. Peter and his parents acknowledge that Gloria needs more attentive medical attention for whatever is ailing her. However, Gloria insists that her illness isn't serious. In 1979, Peter visits Gloria in Los Angeles and their romance continues at Gloria's modest Malibu trailer park home. Gloria's mother, Jeanne, demonstrates support for Peter and Gloria's romance, but Gloria's older sister, Joy, is hostile. Both encourage Peter not to marry Gloria, given Gloria's earlier and scandalous marriage to her former stepson Anthony Ray who was also significantly her junior. Peter and Gloria reveal to each other that they've both experimented with same-sex attraction. In October 1981, once contacting Gloria's doctor in Lancaster, Peter learns that Gloria's

breast cancer Breast cancer is a cancer that develops from breast tissue. Signs of breast cancer may include a Breast lump, lump in the breast, a change in breast shape, dimpling of the skin, Milk-rejection sign, milk rejection, fluid coming from the nipp ...

has returned after initial remission in 1975. Gloria has refused any further treatment. Peter eventually confronts Gloria with what he knows, but Gloria insists she'll get better. Peter reluctantly shares the prognosis with his family, Gloria's hosts. Peter tells his friend Eileen that he still loves Gloria. From 1979, Gloria and Peter's romance continues until the spring of 1981, and Peter spends time with Gloria in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, including a visit from Eileen. Gloria invites Peter to live with her in America full-time. However, shortly thereafter, Gloria suddenly cools to the relationship without explanation, distancing herself from Peter. Gloria kicks him out of her New York City apartment, and he returns to Liverpool for an acting job in an

Alan Bleasdale Alan George Bleasdale (born 23 March 1946) is an English screenwriter, best known for social realist drama serials based on the lives of ordinary people. A former teacher, he has written for radio, stage and screen, and has also written novels ...

play. It is revealed that Gloria's sudden change of heart in New York City was driven by her learning that her cancer had returned. Her earlier refusal of

chemotherapy Chemotherapy (often abbreviated chemo, sometimes CTX and CTx) is the type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (list of chemotherapeutic agents, chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) in a standard chemotherapy re ...

in 1975 has contributed to the cancer's return. Her distance from Peter and keeping of secrets was because of ongoing tests and doctor appointments. She doesn't share this with Peter and instead hopes to drive him away as the cancer is diagnosed as terminal. In October 1981, Peter struggles with his family on how to approach care of Gloria. As she becomes increasingly weak, Gloria decides to allow Peter to inform her family of her illness. Peter surprises Gloria by taking her to a theatre to read from ''

Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...

'' (a scene in which the real actor Peter Turner makes a cameo appearance as stage hand Jack). They reconcile. Gloria's oldest son Timothy arrives from the US to assist Gloria in returning home. Peter gently packs her belongings as Gloria sleeps. Gloria says goodbye to Peter and his family and departs for the U.S. They share a final kiss. The film concludes with footage of Gloria winning the

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 9th Academy Awards to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performanc ...

for her portrayal of Rosemary Bartlow in ''

The Bad and the Beautiful ''The Bad and the Beautiful'' is a 1952 American melodrama film that tells the story of a film producer who alienates everyone around him. The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, written by George Bradshaw and Charles Schnee, and stars Lan ...

'' at the

25th Academy Awards The 25th Academy Awards were held on March 19, 1953, at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood, and the Majestic Theatre (Columbus Circle), NBC International Theatre in New York City, to honor the films of 1952 in film, 1 ...

Cast

as Peter Turner *

as Bella Turner *

Kenneth Cranham Kenneth Cranham (born 12 December 1944) is a British film, television, radio and stage actor. His most notable screen roles were in '' Oliver!'' (1968), '' Up Pompeii'' (1971), '' Hellbound: Hellraiser II'' (1988), '' Chocolat'' (1988), '' Layer ...

as Joe Turner *

Stephen Graham Stephen Graham (born 3 August 1973) is an English actor and film producer. He began his career in 1990, with early notable roles in '' Snatch'' (2000) and ''Gangs of New York'' (2002), before his breakthrough role as Andrew "Combo" Gascoigne ...

as Joe Turner Jr. *

as Jeanne McDougall *

Frances Barber Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays '' Camille'' (1985), and '' Uncle Vanya'' (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with ...

as Joy Hallward * Leanne Best as Eileen * Isabella Laughland as Vanessa *

Suzanne Bertish Suzanne Bertish (born 7 August 1951) is an English actress. Educated at Woldingham School, Bertish joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in many of its productions, including its marathon eight-and-a-half-hour version of Charles Di ...

as Fifi Oscard * Tom Brittney as Tim

Production

On 6 May 2016, it was reported that

, and

would star in an adaptation of ''Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool'' by Peter Turner, a memoir about Turner's relationship with actress

in the last years of her life. Paul McGuigan would direct from a script written by

Matt Greenhalgh Matthew Greenhalgh is an English screenwriter from Manchester. He is best known for writing the screenplays of several biopic films, including '' Control'' (2007), ''Nowhere Boy'' (2009), '' Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool'' (2017), and ''Ba ...

, and

Barbara Broccoli Barbara Dana Broccoli ( ; born June 18, 1960) is an American-British film and stage producer, best known internationally for her work on the James Bond film series. With her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, Broccoli held overall creative contr ...

and

Colin Vaines Colin Vaines is a British film and Emmy-winning television producer whose credits include '' The Unforgivable'', starring Sandra Bullock, '' Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool'', ''Gangs of New York'', ''Coriolanus'', ''The Young Victoria'', and ' ...

would produce. On 27 June 2016,

joined the cast. On 27 June 2016, the film began filming in

and

. It then moved to

Pinewood Studios Pinewood Studios is a British film and television studio located in the village of Iver Heath, England. It is approximately west of central London. The studio has been the base for many productions over the years from large-scale films to t ...

, where it wrapped on 8 August 2016. To fill in for scenes set in

and

Malibu, California Malibu ( ; ; ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, about west of downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate, its strip of beaches stretching along the Pacific Ocean coa ...

, the crew used rear-screen projections. On 11 November 2017,

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television host. According to ''Rolling Stone'', Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical ...

released an original song entitled "You Shouldn't Look at Me That Way", composed specifically for the film. Production company

Eon Productions Eon Productions Limited is a British film production company that primarily produces the ''James Bond'' film series. The company is based in London's Piccadilly and also operates from Pinewood Studios in the UK. ''James Bond'' films Eon wa ...

is best known for producing the

James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...

film franchise; ''Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool'' was the second non-Bond film to be released under the Eon banner since the farcical comedy ''

Call Me Bwana ''Call Me Bwana'' is a 1963 British Technicolor farce film starring Bob Hope and Anita Ekberg and directed by Gordon Douglas. Largely set in Africa, it was the only film made by Eon Productions not about the fictional MI6 agent James Bond un ...

'' in 1963.

Release

In August 2017,

acquired distribution rights to the film for North America, Eastern Europe, Germany and Asia pay TV. The film had its world premiere at the

on 1 September 2017. It also screened at the

Toronto International Film Festival The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, often stylized as tiff) is one of the most prestigious and largest publicly attended film festivals in the world. Founded in 1976, the festival takes place every year in early September. The organi ...

on 9 September 2017. The film was released in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2017 by

and in the United States on 29 December 2017.

Reception

Box office

''Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool'' grossed $1 million in North America and $2.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $4 million, against a budget of $10 million.

Critical response

review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews and ratings of products and services, such as films, books, video games, music, software, hardware, or cars. This system then stores the reviews to be used for supporting a website where user ...

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

, the film holds an approval rating of 81% based on 164 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "''Film Stars Dont Die in Liverpool'' showcases brilliant work from Annette Bening, whose performance is more than enough to outweigh this biopic's basic narrative." On

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, the film has a score of 65 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.

Accolades

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool 2017 films American biographical drama films American romantic drama films British biographical drama films British romantic drama films 2010s English-language films Films directed by Paul McGuigan Films produced by Barbara Broccoli Films shot in Liverpool Films shot in London Films shot at Pinewood Studios Lionsgate films Sony Pictures Classics films Films about actors 2017 biographical drama films 2017 romantic drama films Eon Productions films Films based on biographies 2010s American films 2010s British films IM Global films English-language biographical drama films English-language romantic drama films