The Story: Peter Mullan and Brenda Blethyn star in the directorial debut of Gaby Dellal, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. Mullan plays a laid-off middle-aged man who attempts to find direction in his life by swimming the English Channel. This comedy/drama - written by another newcomer, Alex Rose - also stars Scots Billy Boyd and Jamie Sives.
UK Box Office: £0.058 million (as at 6th September 2005)
Useless Fact: Dellal previously made the acclaimed short movie Football with Helena Bonham Carter.

VIDEO...

  WATCH: Director Gaby Dellal talks about the making of On A Clear Day

  WATCH: Writer Alex Rose on the inspirations behind On A Clear Day and the wonders of the internet

  WATCH: On A Clear Day trailer

THE REVIEWS...

"Though the story is filled with familiar strokes, sensitive direction and quality acting give it emotional depth" (3/5)

"Gaby Dellal directs confidently with a style that matches Mullan's performance" (4/5)

"Treading the same ground (or water) as The Full Monty, it nevertheless proves an attractive blend of comedy and drama" (3/5)

"While it never lives up to the promises it makes in its opening sequence, there's a certain something about the film that's incredibly endearing" (3/5)

"Director Dellal manages to keep the movie's head above water in the tweeness stakes and wrings some real emotion out of the script"

"The film's real strength lies in the performance of Mullan, who has bulked up and turned himself into an unlikely but convincing action hero"

"Mullan alone is well worth the price of a ticket" (registration required)

"This engaging film has a thoughtful, witty tone that makes it worth seeing even if it feels a bit simplistic" (3.5/5)

"Dellal draws likeable performances from the entire cast and creates some telling visuals"

"There's more sentiment sloshing about than there is water in the Channel, but Mullan's quiet dignity saves it" (3/5)

"A decent lead performance from Peter Mullan can't rescue this derivative British heartwarmer" (2/5)

"As you'd expect from a cast which includes Mullan and Brenda Blethyn as his long-suffering wife, the acting is top notch" (2/5)

"A pleasantly predictable film which ultimately demonstrates rather less ambition than its protagonist" (2/5)

WEB WATCH...

On A Clear Day
Official site

"I prefer the really freezing-looking shots"
Peter Mullan interview

"I didn't think a G-string was funny"
Billy Boyd interview

"They have airbrushed my face!"
Peter Mullan interview

"There aren't that many men in Scotland"
Billy Boyd interview

"Irresistible jobs keep coming up"
Brenda Blethyn interview (registration required)

"They are quite macho, I have to say"
Gaby Dellal interview

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