Grumpy old Arthur (Terence Stamp) takes terminal cancer sufferer wife Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) to weekly practice at her pensioner choir even though he has little patience for it. But after Marion's death he feels strangely drawn to it...

Carefully sold in the trailer as Britain's latest geriatric comedy, this is not a comedy at all. Yes, there are amusing moments, but most of them are in the trailer. And, although it is unashamedly sentimental, it isn't entirely a schmaltzy heartstring tugger, either.

It is a portrait of Arthur. All the joy in Arthur's life has come from Marion, who had enough for them both and for everyone else her life touched. Once she is gone, Arthur's morose nature leaves him stranded, incapable of connecting easily with others, and estranged from son James with whom he has never had an easy relationship. Perhaps the choir, and jaunty choir leader Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton) will enable him to make those connections for himself.

I'll be honest, I have never greatly rated Terence Stamp. I have always felt that he has coasted on the back of his extraordinarily striking looks (still every bit as striking as he marches into his seventies) and that his performances have showed little variation, skill or technique. But here – and without downplaying the wonderful support he gets from Redgrave, Arterton and Ecclestone – he is superb. It helps that the part suits his "less is more" approach, but that is not to disparage the way that a small performance highlights big emotions. It is a subtle, wise and touching performance in a film which has no great truths to impart, but which always entertains nevertheless.

Marion and Arthur are an oddly matched couple. Marion (Vanessa Redgrave) is a sweet old lady and Arthur (Terence Stamp) is a nasty and thoroughly unlikable old misanthrope. Marion is also dying from cancer. However, this isn't destroying her spirit and she spends what time she has left singing with a senior center choir. As for Arthur, he's very sad she's dying, as he does love her but he shows absolutely no love for anyone or anything else.

When Marion dies, Arthur is understandably lost and alone by his own choice and actions. However, the leader of the choir, Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton) makes an effort to try to connect with this old jerk. Eventually, she does and after a while she even gets him to come to choir practice. But he's still proud and a grouch. So what's next?

The film is enjoyable and it's a two or three Kleenex sort of film. However, based on my own personal experience with family and as a psychotherapist, Arthur's change came way too fast and it was hard to believe a 70-something old man would that suddenly stop being the creep he was his entire life. I think the film would have been more memorable and effective had the change been much slower in coming. But, if you can ignore this, it is a nice film. By the way, I noticed that the summary called this movie 'hilarious'. Whoever wrote that has a very sick sense of what's hilarious!!! It's mildly funny in parts but is really NOT a comedy.

Arthur Harris (Terence Stamp) is an angry pensioner taking care of his beloved wife Marion (Vanessa Redgrave). He doesn't get along with their son James (Christopher Eccleston). She is sick with her cancer coming back. He hates that she is spending time and energy singing at an old age choir led by Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton). Her sickness gets the best of her and he's forced to help her with the choir.

The movie is very formulaic with simple one-dimensional characters. The comedy is light and not really that funny. There is one good solid joke but nothing much else. There isn't anything wrong with the movie but it's not necessarily great either. It's constantly pulling on the heartstrings and sometimes it hits on some good notes. Terence Stamp is hitting on the anger note very hard. Vanessa Redgrave is brilliant. Gemma Arterton is lovely. Christopher Eccleston has an one-note role. I just wish it has many more funny moments.