Allelujah

Annoying and unbelievable. The tone is never right.

Billed as a comedy this adaptation of an Alan Bennet play, does have moments of humour but it is overwhelming political trying to address multiple issues with the NHS and ultimately society’s treatment of the elderly. No answers but plenty to think about.

Stellar performances from Tovey, Dench & Jacobi help keep Allelujah watchable but the plot is over-stuffed with political positioning without enough development to back them up, coming across as preachy. The film tackles immigration, geriatric decay, NHS-underfunding, medical malpractice & relationships...all in 100 minutes; consequently not doing justice to any of them. I expected more comedy, though that's not a problem. There are a few good exchanges, but the film can't push past mediocrity.