What’s Going On With The Bestels ?

On my travels around the UK singing and playing my little string instrument I spend quite a bit of time in the back of a vehicle when on a long journey, lounging in hotel rooms or trying to pass the time waiting for a soundcheck. In these moments I like to read. Elizabeth is Missing, a début novel from Emma Healey, was the most recent book I’ve reached for when finding myself with 4 hours until destination. After only the first couple of chapters I was all ready to shout about it.

Maud is forgetful, she writes herself notes to remember what has happened in the day but is still buying peach slices when her cupboard is full and finding cold cups of tea around the house. She knows her friend, Elizabeth, is missing and, although no one believes her, she is determined to discover the truth and what it has to do with the seventy-year-old mystery disappearance of her sister Sukey just after the Second World War.

It’s a simple premise but delivered stunningly. As the novel progressed I was heart broken by the effects dementia had on Maud and can only praise Healey for the creative and well written narration of the character. The mystery element isn’t too complicated, definitely not of crime-thriller-suspense level but just mysterious enough to keep you intrigued until the very end. I highly recommend it.

You can order a copy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elizabeth-Missing-Emma-Healey/dp/0241968186/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434483905&sr=8-1&keywords=Elizabeth+is+Missing

The track of the month, one I definitely listened to whilst reading Elizabeth is Missing, is Cycling Trivialities by my old faithful José González. I can easily listen to this stunning lyricist no matter what mood I’m feeling and at any time of day. His albums are my go to and this track is one of my many favourites.

I’ve been looking for a theme for my film reviews on DGWGO and I think I may have found it… Under the Radar. Most of us know about the major blockbusters and well advertised movies but there’s a whole host of really good films that go largely unnoticed. Whether it’s because of smaller marketing budgets or lesser known actors in the starring roles I thought it’d be worth shouting about the odd (sometimes literally odd) flick that really deserves a viewing.
First up is William H Macy’s directorial debut, ‘Rudderless’. It stars Billy Crudup (Almost Famous) as Sam, a grieving father who is having something of a meltdown following his son, Josh’s death. When Sam finds a bunch of music recordings his son made he decides to perform them at a local bar. He forms an unlikely and initially reluctant friendship with a young musician, Quentin, played by Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) and they go on to form a band playing Josh’s songs.
The songs in this film are really quite decent and full marks must also go to Crudup and Yelchin for their vocal skills (Yes, it really is them singing!) but this isn’t just another excuse to play a collection of tunes and wrap a thin storyline around them. The plot is all important and not without its surprises.
While this is a film which is basically about how a father and mother, played by Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) come to terms with the loss of their son in their own, individual ways, it’s not an overly sentimental film, although I must admit that tears were shed in the Bestel household. No, this is a well crafted, well acted movie that has a decent dose of humour and pathos and the subject of losing a child is appropriately dealt with.
Laugh, cry, be entertained, go find yourself a copy of Rudderless. I really enjoyed it and it’s one of those rare films that I wouldn’t mind watching again, very soon.

You can order a copy at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rudderless-DVD-Region-US-NTSC/dp/B00OQVS1B4/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1434484366&sr=1-1&keywords=rudderless