11th August 2025 - films

L.S. Lowry - Going to Work

Two films I have recently watched.  Both from BFI and both so British it just oozed off the film.  What do I mean by this, perhaps 'clogs on cobbles' will give you a better explanation of the deep sense of atmosphere of old England.

The first featured Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave - Mrs. Lowry and her Son, 2019,  brilliant performance from the two actors.  I will presume you know Lowry's work of the working North.  His work always struck a note with me coming from the Black Country as I did.  I saw the people come tumbling through the gates at home time.  Some on bikes, others walking out of the big factories of the time.  A fast moving crowd eager to get home.  No fancy cars, except ours maybe, my stepmother with her red hair in the sports car as she waited for my father Maurice.  Who was the chief engineer of the factory at that moment in time. I suspect she was showing off but that is another story.

Mrs Lowry detested her son's work, burn the lot she told him and he so loved her  that he almost did it but luckily he continued with his matchstick figures conveying the starkness of working life.

London became interested in his work, and Mrs Lowry's friend's husband bought a painting and then she acknowledged his work but with that small minded attitude that hopefully was being left behind as we galloped towards the 60s.

The other film, again with a much younger Timothy Spall in it and this time Brenda Blethyn, the actress of course who plays 'Vera'.  This film was called 'Mysterious Creatures'  It was an independent film, original and rather stark in its story, which sadly was true.  Told the tale of a couple with a daughter that displayed Asperger illness.  It was made in 2006 when such things as Asperger and Autism was coming to the fore.

It was such a sad story, the girl miserably behaved towards her parents with her temper tantrums when she could not have her own way.  She drove them towards bankruptcy and suicide.  Suicide was achieved by the father but the mother after three tries goes on to accept her fate.  It seems from the Wiki though that both women went on to live separate lives.

Both films can be seen on You Tube.

The Lowry Trailer for a taster.  Can the North get any bleaker? ;)

Edit: And behind the song there was a another childhood song The Ally, Ally Song.