Just as a supernova marks the final explosion of a dying star, the bright shining star of Tusker and Sam’s love burns in the sky before slowly fading in a movie packed with emotion, warmth, love and loss. Supernova is released in cinemas nationwide on June 25th.
In 2015, Harry MacQueen’s directorial debut, Hinterland, wowed critics with an intimate and delicate portrayal of love, and now he is back with his second feature in the director’s chair. Supernova builds on the themes of his directorial debut, with a compelling level of intimacy and emotion. In Supernova, we witness the deep and enduring love of an older gay couple as they face the crushing horror and loss of early-onset dementia.
Tusker (Stanley Tucci) and his partner Sam (Colin Firth) are about to embark on a holiday to the Lake District – the rolling hills, lakes and woodland an escape from their busy lives as an author and a pianist. As they drive, they share memories of past trips while bickering over plans for their journey, looking forward to visiting family and friends before Sam’s rare public piano recital.
However, when Sam pulls over at a service station for food and drinks, Tusker goes missing. Sam desperately searches for his partner, only to find him standing on a nearby road, their dog at his side, and it’s clear something is wrong, something that can’t be fixed. For Sam and Tusker, the trip is far more precious than it first seemed as Tusker slowly succumbs to early-onset dementia – the couple’s vacation a final opportunity to be together as equals before Tusker vanishes into himself.
The emotional power of Supernova sits within Harry Macqueen’s tender screenplay and the film’s intimate atmosphere. Tucci and Firth are stunning as they encapsulate the pain, love, and fear of a couple facing their greatest challenge through a poignant road trip.
Macqueen’s delicate direction always ensures both men remain the sole focus of the picture, creating an emotional space we feel privileged to enter as we are swept up into a single moment in time where love and loss collide. Just as a supernova marks the final explosion of a dying star, the bright shining star of Tusker and Sam’s love burns in the sky before slowly fading in a movie packed with emotion, warmth, love and loss.
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