Supernova (15)
Directed by Harry Macqueen 
 

“I WANT to be remembered for who I was and not for who I am about to become,” says successful writer Tusker (Stanley Tucci) to the love of his life Sam (Colin Firth) during their last-hurrah road trip across the Lake District before his early onset dementia takes complete hold.

The pair have been together for 20 years and in the last two Sam has put his life and career as a pianist on hold to become Tusker’s full-time carer as Tusker begins to lose himself in this heart-wrenching modern love story from writer-director Harry Macqueen (Hinterland).

At the top of their game, Tucci and Firth, who have been great friends for two decades, are absolutely phenomenal and frankly adorable as this loving couple struggling to deal with the reality of dementia while they travel in their camper van to reconnect with family and friends — one last time.

While their sexuality adds rich dimension to the story, it is ultimately irrelevant to what they are facing, which is universal. 

Amateur astronomer Tusker is the supernova — a star who burns brightly, knows he is dying and wants to do it on his terms while Sam is desperately trying to hang onto him for as long as he can.

Tucci and Firth capture their love and despair without uttering a word, just with a look and a touch — what is left unsaid speaks volumes. The film examines love, loss and how we deal with it along with end-of-life decisions, underscored by stunning panoramic views of the Lake District.

Without giving too much away, it ends on the most poignant of notes with a moving rendition of Elgar’s Salut D’Amour, bringing to a close a heartrending tale which will resonate with many. 

In cinemas