Kate Winslet, Andrea Riseborough and Toni Collette play sisters who bring their families to the hospital for a few final days with their dying mother (Helen Mirren). Of course, the siblings (including brother Johnny Flynn) have issues with each other and those make up most of the conflict. Much of the script, which was written by Winslet’s son Joe Anders, falls along predictable beats with clichéd conflicts. I was able to guess many scenes pretty early on, although the son’s final revelation was abrupt and unexpected. Fortunately, first-time director Winslet has assembled this exceptional cast that gives even the tritest scenes more heft. As the father/husband Timothy Spall manages to the most touching moments late in the film (tears guaranteed). With lesser credentials this film would fall squarely in soapy Lifetime movie territory, but Winslet’s cast and direction have classed it up. 
(3 / 5)
