Song for Marion

Plot

Arthur Harris is the grumpy husband of Marion, who is terminally ill yet continues to participate with enthusiasm at her local seniors' choir, The OAP'Z. The choirmaster is a young teacher, Elizabeth who is preparing the choir to enter a local musical choir competition called "Shadow Song". Arthur is also estranged from his son, James. Marion's health deteriorates over time until one night when she dies in her sleep. Arthur initially takes this loss severely and cuts himself from his family and the choir. Eventually he agrees to take Marion's place in the choir. The transition proves to be a challenge for Arthur thanks to the unconventional songbook that includes racier songs such as Salt-N-Pepa's "Let's Talk About Sex" and Motorhead's "Ace of Spades". However he grows to enjoy spending time in the choir.

On the eve of the competition, Arthur has an argument with James in a failed attempt to rebuild their relationship and pulls out of the choir. The choir participates in the competition without Arthur. He arrives later but before he can perform with the choir, they are eliminated from the competition by the judges. The choir are on their way to return home in defeat when Arthur stops the bus and storms the musical competition's stage shortly joined by the rest of the choir. They perform again with Arthur singing a solo of "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)". The choir finishes in third place and returns home triumphant. Arthur and his son, James (who watched him perform in the competition) reconnect on the journey home with James leaving an answering phone message confirming this later.

Cast

The OAP'Z

Joy Alexander, Judith Baird, Bob Buyers, Sally Anne Cooper, Joan Fagon, Lynn Fox, Anthony Friswell, Christine Glazzard, Christopher Gulliver, Joe Hewison, Pat Mailer, Janet Meikle, June Mitchell, Marie Mossison, Jenny Hales Owen, Sid Robertson, Ian Scott, Joan Smith, Mike Smith, Sue Sweeney, Margaret Taroni, Carol Thompson, Robert Anthony Walsh and Gwen Williams.

Soundtrack

The film is accompanied by a song titled "Unfinished Songs" written by Diane Warren and performed by Celine Dion. The song was included in Dion's 2013 album Loved Me Back to Life but with different vocal and musical arrangements.

The song "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)", performed by the main character in the film, is a Billy Joel song.

The score was composed by Laura Rossi. Lost In The Multiplex's Soundtrek section deemed Rossi's score "lovely", but opined that the OAP'Z songs "aren't particularly funny, they're not that fun to listen to either."

Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics. It received a "fresh" rating of 64% based on 92 reviews from aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes.

Production

Although the film is set in London it was primarily shot on location in Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham. Filming took place over some six weeks in July and August 2011, and locations included St Francis Community Centre (next to Freeman Hospital), Newcastle City Hall, Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre and Durham Johnston Comprehensive School.

The 2007 documentary film Young@Heart also deals with a choir of seniors performing contemporary music.