Imagine spending Christmas eve in a care home with a bunch of old, bored and alcohol-craving folks who devise a plan to steal booze and indulge in the joys of being wasted . Gin and Dry is a perfect example of a bittersweet story, which carries itself light-heartedly, while an underlying message waits patiently to unfold. What I thought was fascinating about Gin and Dry was the fusion of comedy and drama, which is intrinsic to the story. Very few films depict old people as protagonists. What makes Gin and Dry genuine is the way it portrays the residents of a care home - almost like children. This not only helps the audience relate to the characters but also subverts any preconceptions the viewer might have. Albie, the protagonist, seems like the grandfather everyone would like to have. He is a gentle, stoic and wise guy, who seems to posses high moral values and always takes responsibility for his actions. We see him in the beginning of the film as he pours some gin for him and his wife Dee. Their dialogue is nostalgic as they both remember their shared memories from the past. Albie stands out from the other, more child-like characters and consequently becomes the driving force of the story. The production design in this film is incredible. While the film does not represent a care home realistically (the ones I've seen are much grittier); the various props such as Christmas lights, little ornaments and bottles of alcohol transform an otherwise dull environment into a colourful and interesting world. It seems like the shots were cleverly constructed beforehand, since each frame is visually pleasing with interesting elements in the background. In my opinion, Gin and Dry offers an interesting take on care homes and the ways their residents behave. What initially seems like an adventurous journey of mischief eventually turns into a reminder that sparks of life are present even in the dustiest and most forgotten places.
Review of Gin & Dry
