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On a Clear Day

Inspirational films often come with a user warning of high saccharine content. That is, they frequently are so sweet, so endearing that one who is not typically impressed by accomplishments of horses with broken legs, 40-something baseball pitchers or football playing incarcerated juvenile offenders, is at risk of slipping into a sugar induced coma. “On a Clear Day,” however, happens to provide all the thrills, flushed cheeks and watery eyes that every one of those themes does, but does it with something they simply lack: actual emotion.

Staring Peter Mullan as recently made redundant shipbuilder, Frank; the film focuses on the lack of direction in which a man can find himself after spending the better part of his life assigning his self-worth by what he does. Mullan terrifically brings forth the kind of shy, awkwardness of a good, stern man who doesn’t know how to conceive of himself anymore than those around him. His gravely voice and thick Scottish brogue is not only likeable, but his strength is so believable no matter the actions of his character, we know he is simply a hard man who will soften after some time in the water.

“On a Clear Day” utilizes some rather harsh and sadly typical parental woes to initiate its plot, but as a sign of any quality story, it turns what is essentially a cliché into a gratifying story. The loss of a child, here, is told with a soft touch that is a testament to the way the film itself thankfully steers clear of typical pitfalls of so many films that have come before. With very few mentions of the impetus of the fractured family, the viewer is left to surmise on his or her own events that have led us to the window in which we are now peeking.

With so much loss in his life, what with his child, the love of his other son, his job and of course, at the heart of it all, his self-respect. Frank makes the momentous decision of swimming the English Channel. Men who both respect him and fear his disrespect being turned toward them cheer him on. Those men mostly include his former co-workers and the proprietor of the local fish-n’-chips shop. The crew seems disparate as they come, but deep down they are all making Frank’s journey of renewed self-respect, individually his own. Frank’s wife, the wonderfully funny Brenda Blethyn portrays the last thing both Frank and his son cling to, to form their family. Blethyn’s ability to blend heartfelt emotion with obnoxiously nervous behavior is second to none and helps to not only further the impact of the film’s climax, but also give the viewer an additional emotional anchor so that “On a Clear Day” does not become a preposterous monstrosity. Ultimately, the film works because we, the audience, believe this incongruous group of people can truly learn from one another and regain their lives before they are completely lost.

The Universal Studios disc comes complete with absolutely nothing on the disc, so not a must own unless you’re a real fan – or you have a regionless DVD player, you might think about picking up the UK version of the disc.

Written by: Kevin Yeoman

Reviewers Rating: 8
Reader's Rating: 9.00
Reader's Votes: 1

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