Scotland At The Movies

23 March 2009, 18:28

On a Clear Day is a 2005 Scottish drama written by Alex Rose and directed by Gaby Dellal. The film stars Peter Mullan as Frank Redmond, a labourer in the shipyards on the River Clyde, who becomes stagnant and quickly sinks into depression.

Frank gets an idea while on a booze cruise with his friends to swim the English Channel. Obviously, he takes the time to sober up before going on his quest...

What’s it all about?

The story is set in present-day Glasgow - well, it’s four years now since the film was released, but you get the drift - near the banks of the River Clyde. Frank Redmond (Peter Mullan) and a few of his co-workers are laid off from the shipyards after 36 years service. This, along with his grief still suffered over the loss of one of his sons many years ago, plummets Frank into a deep depression. He gets on well with his wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn); however, their relationship is distant. His son, Rob (Jamie Sives), is a devoted house husband who looks after his two twin sons, while his wife, Angela (Jodhi May) works full time at the local Jobcentre.

After a violent panic attack, Frank realises that he needs some focus in his life, and - after a booze cruise along the English Channel - decides to focus his efforts on swimming across it. Frank has help in training for the big day with the help of friend and local chip shop owner Chan (Benedict Wong) and former co-workers Danny (Billy Boyd), Eddie (Sean McGinley) and Norman (Ron Cook). Could it all go wrong? Clearly not.

Cast

Peter Mullan - Frank Redmond
Brenda Blethyn - Joan Redmond
Jamie Sives - Rob Redmond
Jodhi May - Angela Redmond
Billy Boyd - Danny
Benedict Wong - Chan
Sean McGinley - Eddie
Ron Cook - Norman
Shaun Dingwall - Observer

Trivia

The film won two BAFTA Scotland Awards for Best Film and Best Screenplay.

When's it on?

On a Clear Day is on STV on April 5.

Last updated: 05 June 2009, 16:35