The Living and the Dead
Directed by Simon Rumley
Produced by Spectrum Media Entertainment, Viva Pictures
A claustrophobic, psychologically harrowing portrait of mental illness and familial obligation spiraling into crisis within the confines of a decaying estate.
Lord Donald and Lady Nancy reside in the magnificent but run-down Longleigh House with James, their mentally disabled adult son. Nancy has fallen seriously ill and Donald is preparing to sell the house to raise enough money to pay for an operation. He arranges for the family nurse, Mary, to take care of Nancy while he leaves to tend to the sale. However, James wants to prove to his father that he can look after his mother on his own and decides to lock Mary out of the house. It isn't long before James starts mixing his mother's pills and forgetting to take his own medication, and as the stress of looking after his mother increases, so too does the severity of his own condition.
Essence
Ensemble
Like The Living and the Dead
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Living and the Dead
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Living and the Dead, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Living and the Dead, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Living and the Dead, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
