Lost for Words

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Lost for Words ★★★ 1999

Aging and the parent/child bond has never been more bittersweet and amusing as in this British production, which is based on the memoirs of Deric Longden (he also wrote the teleplay). Elderly Annie (88-year-old Hird in a touchingly tart performance) lives alone, with her middle-aged son Deric (Postlethwaite) and his blind wife Aileen (Downie) popping in to offer support and company. But then a series of strokes rob Annie of her ability to speak coherently and of her cherished independence. 90m/C VHS . GB Thora Hird, Pete Postlethwaite, Penny Downie, Tom Higgins; D: Alan J.W. Bell; W: Deric Longden. TV