Listening is a poignant, thoughtful and very beautiful little film, superbly acted by Paul McGann and Frances Barber, and gracefully directed by Kenneth Branagh. Branagh demonstrates how emotions are intensified and quickened in the absence of words, in a story about a man and woman who meet during a silent retreat. It's an original look at how words limit us, but also at missed opportunities for love and communication, with or without them. The photography is gorgeous, and the music very effective at heightening emotion.
3 Reviews
Yet another masterpiece by Kenneth Branagh
TheFlickChic7 August 2003
Kenneth Branagh's short film "Listening" is a 23-minute treat for the senses. Sound and imagery unite to tell the story of a man and woman who find one another while searching for their own inner peace at a spiritual retreat. There is one house rule: no one is to speak while at this retreat. This explains why there is limited dialogue throughout the film. However, the story evolves without speech, which emphasizes the sounds of nature, the emotive musical score and the sweet sound of silence. These elements, combined with great acting, masterful cinematography, and a touch of Branagh's genius yield a unique story with a poignant ending.
A very moving, poignant short film
GusF19 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this short film tells the story of an emotionally distraught woman played by Frances Barber who stays at a spa where talking is forbidden. While there, she meets a kind man played by Paul McGann and the two of them gradually fall in love. Given the location, there is very dialogue in the film, perhaps 10 or 12 lines in 22 minutes, but there is nevertheless a strong love story that develops between the couple as they spend more and more time together. Barber and particularly McGann, who has no lines at all, were able to rely on their facial expressions to communicate the characters' feelings to the audience. The only other credited cast member is Nanette Newman, who has a small role as the spa owner.
The script is very well observed and poignant. Of all Branagh's directorial efforts, this and "In the Bleak Midwinter" are the only ones for which he wrote an original screenplay not based on a previous work. There is a fantastic scene in which the woman breaks the rules and plays Beethoven on her CD player for the man. This evokes a very strong emotional reaction from him and he breaks down crying after less than minute but not for the reason that you might think. The film has a very sad, moving ending which I did not foresee. Interestingly, the two main characters are not named and the source of the woman's emotional distress is not revealed. I think that this was a great decision as it emphasises the fact that the man and the woman are like ships that pass in the night.
The script is very well observed and poignant. Of all Branagh's directorial efforts, this and "In the Bleak Midwinter" are the only ones for which he wrote an original screenplay not based on a previous work. There is a fantastic scene in which the woman breaks the rules and plays Beethoven on her CD player for the man. This evokes a very strong emotional reaction from him and he breaks down crying after less than minute but not for the reason that you might think. The film has a very sad, moving ending which I did not foresee. Interestingly, the two main characters are not named and the source of the woman's emotional distress is not revealed. I think that this was a great decision as it emphasises the fact that the man and the woman are like ships that pass in the night.
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