Daisies in December (1995)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Overrated

Load of rubbish!!

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

I have a bone to pick with director Mark Haber. He was put in charge of a film whose setting was an old folks' home. Naturally, the demographic of the film's audience will mostly be comprised of older people. Older people sometimes get dizzy spells. So why would Mr. Haber choose to swirl and swoop the camera randomly? He'll make his audience sick!Besides the very odd direction, Daisies in December is a really cute movie. Joss Ackland is settled into an old folks' home against his will, but his intense distaste for the place quickly wears off when he meets Jean Simmons, another resident. This movie isn't a comedy, but Joss is given some sporadic one-liners that are realistically funny, rather than purely comic relief. And while Jean Simmons is a little mean to him in the beginning, their romance is mostly very cute and touching.Joss Ackland gives a fantastic performance. His pain and hope is palpable through the screen. If you like late-blooming romances, this is a really good one.

I had chanced upon viewing this film on a channel surfing excursion one weekend morning. I passed by the usual junk, info-mercials, and tired network programs and movies, then, it happened. I instantly became transfixed to the screen watching every minute until the end of this magnificent TV movie the British have produced.If you want to have the best of character identification and development, in which a film so immerses you you can't turn your attention to anything else, then try this film my friend. The story is gripping to say the least and at its best it is simply the best formation of a loving relationship since Cary Grant on the big screen. And these people in the cast are old! Who would have thought young, pretentious romantics could learn anything from grandparents about love and commitment? After all, aren't they mostly over the hill? No. Far from it. Despite physical limitations and ailments of old age, these two stars of the film, Jean Simmons and Joss Ackland prove to any doubting Thomas's that love is ageless. Tragedy too.My favorite line is when Catherine (Jean Simmons) tells her aspiring lover, "Life is essentially ridiculous. Once you understand that you can start to enjoy yourself." So true, and more so for the crusty codger, Gerald (Joss Ackland) who takes life a little too seriously and shies away from gleeful moments that he considers undignified or embarrassing for a man of his age or position...until she enters into his heart.

"Daisies in December" is an excellent TV movie, which first aired in the United States on the Showtime channel in December 1995. I do wish it was available on video. It did receive the ACE Cable award for Best Screenplay and it is well deserving of it. Joss Ackland and Jean Simmons had previously acted on the London stage in another project and there is a chemistry between them. It was a pleasure seeing Mr. Ackland in a different type of character than the type he usually portrays. "Daisies" is a lovely film - one of my all-time favorites - and note that the supporting cast is a joy to watch as well. Highly recommended - you won't be sorry.

This is a gentle old fashioned type of love story with enough humor to make it appeal to a wider audience. It's also nice to see Joss playing a role other than the bad guy. Although he's a little rude and short of tact - he's basically a decent chap in this one.