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Movies / On DVD / On A Clear Day
On A Clear Day

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On A Clear Day (2006)

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Reviews Counted:64

Fresh:43

Rotten:21

Average Rating:6.2/10

Consensus: Another blue-collar inspirational feel-good British dramedy, On A Clear Day succeeds on the strength of lead actor Peter Mullan's performance and Gaby Dellal's competent direction.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some language

Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Apr 7, 2006 Limited

Box Office: $90,663

Synopsis: Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls... Shot on location in Glasgow and Dover, director Gaby Dellal's first feature takes off from a true story of one man's determination to swim the English Channel. The film deftly avoids the pitfalls of sentiment through a self-deprecating humor that recalls THE FULL MONTY in tone and theme, as well as a stunning performance from Peter Mullen (YOUNG ADAM) as protagonist Frank Redmond. After 40 years of working as a shipbuilder, the somewhat taciturn Frank has been "made redundant" and let go from his job. He finds himself utterly unmoored without the routine and trappings that have defined his existence for so long, and suffers a loss of self-respect that he is unable to talk about with his loving wife, Joan (Brenda Blethyn, PRIDE & PREJUDICE), and son, Rob (Jamie Sives). Floundering, Frank becomes obsessed with the idea of swimming the Channel, and undertakes the project with the help of Chan (Benedict Wong, DIRTY PRETTY THINGS), the owner of the local fish-and-chips shop, who becomes Frank's personal trainer. His three best mates (Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, and Ron Cook) sign on for the ride as well, each discovering new strength in themselves along the way. But it is Frank's relationships with his family that are the most moving part of the film, as he deals with the demons that have hounded him for over 20 years and rediscovers the bonds he shares with his wife and his long-estranged son. [More]

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley

Starring: Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Sean McGinley, Jamie Sives, Ron Cook, Benedict Wong, Jodhi May

Director: Gaby Dellal

Director: Gaby Dellal
Screenwriter: Alex Rose
Producer: Sarah Curtis, Dorothy Berwin, Bill Allen
Studio: Focus Features

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 11, 2006

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Reviews for On A Clear Day

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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A satisfying 92 minutes.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/01/07
Doris Toumarkine
Doris Toumarkine
Film Journal International

There is much warmth and reconciliation in the final act, indicative of the movie's goodheartedness.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
07/26/06
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

There's an audience for this sort of mush, but don't count me in the mix.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
06/03/06
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

On a Clear Day isn’t so much a bad film as it is a thoroughly familiar and unnecessary one.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
06/03/06
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

One thing that sets On a Clear Day apart from other, like-minded films -- besides its spectacular Scottish location footage -- is the first-rate cast.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
06/02/06
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Unlike my colleagues, I wiped my eyes instead of rolling them, and I'm hoping you will too. Worth seeing indeed.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
05/15/06
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
05/12/06
Sydney Morning Herald

The recycled spectacle of yet another downsized U.K. working-class type being reduced to an act of feel-good against-all-odds crowd-pleasing redemption.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
05/05/06
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Flawed by moments of sitcom humour, On A Clear Day still manages to tell an engaging story about men, work and friendship.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
05/05/06
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

The wonder here, if not the redemption, is that so many toil so hard to make this saccharine stuff palatable.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
05/05/06
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

... despite its familiarity, it works, mostly on the strength of a fine performance by the Scottish actor Peter Mullan.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
04/28/06
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Clear Day isn't terribly engaging.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
04/21/06
Ruthe Stein
Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fans of Mullan's more intense work will find this soft and all-too maudlin.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/21/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

The movie reaches for an emotional climax that is simply beyond the filmmakers' grasp.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
04/14/06
John Hartl
John Hartl
Seattle Times

The social, economic and personal stresses don't seem very surely addressed by the big swim.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
04/14/06
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Mullan makes the journey more than worthwhile, but don't go in expecting profundity.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
04/14/06
Mike Russell
Mike Russell
Oregonian

A lesser film, kindhearted, a wee bit weepy and a wee bit trite.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
04/14/06
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nothing in On a Clear Day is especially compelling. The movie doesn't dig deep enough.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
04/14/06
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Does any of this work? Sure, but only through the graces of a cast that knows better than to play to our hearts.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
04/14/06
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A thoughtful, thoroughly engaging portrait of fractured family and friends pulling together for an impossible dream.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
04/14/06
David Germain
David Germain
Associated Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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