The Winter Guest

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The Winter Guest ★★★ 1997 (R)

Rickman's directorial debut looks at the lives of eight people living in a remote and icy Scottish village, focusing on the fictional relationship between real-life mother and daughter Law and Thompson. Introspective and somewhat stagey, but fine performances and excellent use of the desolate landscape make this a worthwhile debut effort. Based on the play by Sharman Macdonald, which he and Rick-man adapted for the screen. 106m/C VHS, DVD . GB Emma Thompson, Phyllida Law, Sheila Reid, Sandra Voe, Gary Hollywood, Arlene Cock-burn, Douglas Murphy, Sean Biggerstaff, Tom Watson; D: Alan Rickman; W: Alan Rickman, Sharman MacDonald; C: Seamus McGarvey; M: Michael Kamen.