Allelujah

Based on the popular play by Alan Bennett, Allelujah is the latest British comedy film centred on a group of astute and charming octogenarians and nonagenarians surviving old age in the geriatric ward at a small community hospital. Starring cinema and television icons Jennifer Saunders, Derek Jacobi, Dame Judi Dench, Bally Gill and David Bradley, this movie hovers between life and death and the deep humanity of medical staff who do their best to maintain a comfortable standard of care to their patients.

The Bethlehem Hospital – known affectionately as The Beth by the tight-knit Yorkshire community – is an institution that has served the locality for over a century. Its presence is now under threat due to governmental pressure to cut medical funding and amalgamate facilities in the area. This approach doesn’t sit well with many staff, especially head nurse Sister Alma Gilpin (Saunders), a practitioner who seemingly goes above and beyond for her patients in the name of service, who is about to receive an award recognising her exceptional work.

A perfect storm of folly and heart brews with the arrival of a documentary crew intent to film the people connected to the hospital, interviewing the linguist Ambrose (Jacobi), a group of eclectic patients, the chairman of the board, and the compassionate Dr Valentine (Gill). In London, Colin (Tovey), a management consultant to the Minister of Health, is sent to The Beth to evaluate its financial viability and provide a recommendation, and whose father Joe (David Bradley) is at the hospital, recuperating from an infection. Meanwhile, Dr Valentine tries to persuade the shy Mary (Judi Dench) to sit in on the interviews and hands her an iPad to film herself, giving a new meaning to ‘marginalia’. When a series of sudden deaths spook the ward, questions arise that something foul is at play – and the culprit who wields the silent weapon is one they least suspect.

Allelujah does a standout job crafting a compelling umbrella story with various threads playing to the strengths of the outstanding ensemble cast. Russell Tovey and David Bradley are exceptional as estranged father and son trying to overcome the pain caused by Joe’s lack of acceptance of Colin’s sexuality as a gay man. The actors bring so much authenticity to the scenes where father and son try to reconnect despite the overwhelming amount of pain and emotional baggage that exists. Judi Dench, as the crafty yet meek Molly, is like a cinematic warm hug, bringing the usual charm and grace one would expect. Jennifer Saunders – spoiler alert – is a vision to watch on-screen, injecting dry wit and deadpan delivery to her character of Alma, stealing scenes as an overworked nurse turned unremorseful serial killer.

Billed as a comedy smash, I took Allelujah as a humorous yet touching tribute to the dignity of humanity and the unrelenting strength of health service. The message that rings strong is the paying thanks to frontline workers during COVID-19. The final scenes are powerful, showcasing where fiction meets reality then fiction again when Dr Valentine and Ambrose find themselves in the same hospital ward during the height of the pandemic.

Very entertaining and a breeze to watch, Allelujah is the A-class of British cinema.

Allelujah
In cinemas now