Long Day Closes, The (1992)

Following the death of his father, eleven-year-old Bud (Leigh McCormack) is growing up in impoverished circumstances in 1950s Liverpool. He is bullied at his new school and struggles through his days with the cinema as his main source of solace.

When he’s not at the picture palace, the stolid little chap gazes out the window at home (it’s usually dark and grey, and it rains a lot), out the front door, or sits on the stairs gazing at his mum (Marjorie Yates) as if he were still watching a film.

Following on from Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988), the film is essentially a rummage through the childhood memories of writer/director Terence Davies.

It has no traditional plot but fuses clips and audio from classic films and radio into Bud’s drab yellow and brown childhood.

There are some splendidly comic scenes from Tina Malone and Jimmy Wilde as the larger-than-life married neighbours Edna and Curly. There are undertones of developing homosexuality and hints of a troubled relationship with Catholicism – but above all, there is Bud’s love affair with the cinema.

The Long Day Closes received a 10-minute standing ovation when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival – although it ultimately did not win any awards.

Mother
Marjorie Yates
Bud
Leigh McCormack
Kevin
Anthony Watson
John
Nicholas Lamont
Helen
Ayse Owens
Edna
Tina Malone
Curly
Jimmy Wilde
Mr Nicholls
Robin Polley
Mr Bushell
Peter Ivatts
Frances
Joy Blakeman
Jean
Denise Thomas
Amy
Patricia Morison
Billy
Gavin Mawdsley
Labourer/Christ
Kirk McLaughlin
Black Man
Mark Heath
Nun
Victoria Davies
Nurse
Brenda Peters
Albie
Kerl Skeggs

Director
Terence Davies