There’s something delightful in seeing an actor come full circle, going from debut film to directorial debut. For women specifically, it’s a pivot that seems inevitable if you want to continue working after a certain age. This is an industry that praises men for getting older and gives them more to do even when they’re not at their best, but pushes women to the margins when they start to show wrinkles. But Kate Winslet has been an actress who has been determined not to get rid of her wrinkles or allow an industry so severe to push her out. From starring in a television show where she’s the main lead, despite being a gray character, to finally directing her own movie in which she herself plays a character who is struggling to keep things together. I know this story sounds familiar, and there’s nothing new to see here, but Goodbye June is still as heartwarming as you’d expect it to be.
The film follows 4 siblings coming back home after finding out that their mother is in the hospital and doesn’t have long to live. What follows is a chaotic family tale about love, grief, and getting along. It’s about responsibility, adventure, and sticking together. Don’t be mistaken, this is still a holiday film despite all the sadness, but don’t expect a The Holiday-level joy at the end of it. Despite knowing what’s coming at the end of the film, you feel optimistic about it. This is a power not everyone has. I don’t know about anybody else, but I also felt like this was one of the most British films I’ve seen in a while. Everything about it, from the colors to the dialogue to the family dynamic, screamed British family, which was a fun step away from typical Christmas cinematography.
I think it’s also quite bold to release this movie one day before Christmas, because many will find it too heartbreaking during the holiday. However, this is a film very specifically targeting those who have suffered loss or are close to it. Who want something to feel like a warm hug without being overwhelming. Okay, I say “overwhelming” in the sense of “Christmas Cheer,” not in the sense of having a lot going on, because boy does this film have a lot going on. When you have 4 siblings, you’ve got to know there’s going to be people talking over each other, some major crisis between at least two people, and a lot of shouting. June says, “It’s harder to raise girls than boys,” because she’s got 3 girls and 1 boy.
To see Helen Mirren this dull and defeated feels so unusual. She’s always been such an energetic figure, but really, as June, she’s very unlike herself. Timothy Spall as Bernie is absolutely lovely. He’s like the life of the party despite being in a wheelchair for a lot of the time. He’s especially delightful in the final few moments of the film. While you started out feeling terrible for him, now you feel like he’s the one who’s really bringing joy to this family. The siblings are all dramatically different from each other. Toni Collette’s Helen is the eccentric one who should never wear yellow, Kate Winslet’s Julia is the responsible one, Andrea Riseborough’s Molly is the most chaotic, and Conner is the quiet one who feels almost neglected by everyone else. I can’t go without mentioning Fisayo Akinade (from our beloved Heartstopper), who always acts as the binding glue and truly brings light to the roles he’s playing. I always feel like he’s giving me a hug, and I think the characters feel the same.
But it’s when all of these characters come together that it feels like the stars have aligned, and finally, everything is going right. You feel almost like June, waiting for her kids to figure it out and meet in the middle. To finally reconcile, even if things aren’t perfect. The film shines every time there are more than 3 characters on screen. You’d imagine that when the kids are around, the chaos will drive you mad, but honestly, it just makes the film come alive. Especially considering how dull the lighting is and how most of it is set in a hospital, we need something to keep us interested, and it’s the characters and their interactions that do.
All the characters get closure by the end of the film, so it’s not all grief and loss. There’s a beautiful Christmas presentation at the end that’ll make you laugh and cry at the same time. It’s truly a heartfelt goodbye, and you should definitely keep your tissues handy. Despite the connotation, I can easily say I enjoyed Goodbye June because it’s not just a film about death; it’s about what that means to those who are alive and have to live on after. It’s moving and a tearjerker, yes, but it’ll also make you laugh and smile at unexpected moments (especially when Bernie’s at his best).
Kate Winslet proves yet again that if you’re unproblematic and only have joy to give, you can do wonderful things. This amazing cast of stunning women and a few men makes this film worth watching. The pacing can feel a bit slow, especially at the beginning and a little bit in the middle, but hey, we can cut Goodbye June some slack because she comes through right at the end, which is definitely the best part of the film. There’s also a musical performance at a pub, which is thoroughly enjoyable despite the implications. I give Goodbye June 3.5 out of 5 stars, but I’ll recommend it with a small warning: only watch it with your mom if you want to cry your eyes out.
