Film Club: The Return

After a break of more than two years, Film Club is back — and the sequel is bigger and better than ever!

Our original Film Club was born during the dark days of the Covid lockdown. Unable to meet in person, a small group of Riversiders began gathering online to watch films together, joining the now-ubiquitous Zoom to share impressions — often with a glass of wine in hand. What started as a casual diversion quickly became a fixture of community life. Over nearly three years, an impressive 96 films were dissected, debated and occasionally defended with great passion.

Now, with our freedom restored, members are eager to meet face-to-face once more. The new-look Film Club meets approximately twice per month, generally on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, at 8 pm at The Burleigh Arms. Each session begins with a short introduction from the member who suggested the film, followed by open discussion, and lasts about an hour. The next film is confirmed at the end of the evening and shared via the group WhatsApp, so everyone can watch it at their own pace.

So far, around 30 residents have signed up and the first two sessions each attracted around 15 participants. There’s no obligation — just come along when you fancy a good film, good chat and good company.

If you’d like to join the Film Club WhatsApp group, simply comment below or contact Tony Brown.

Our comeback began with Conclave, the political thriller adapted from Robert Harris’s best-selling novel.

When the Pope dies unexpectedly, the world’s cardinals are summoned to Rome for the sacred and secretive ritual of electing his successor – the conclave. Among them is Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the conscientious Dean tasked with overseeing the process inside the sealed walls of the Sistine Chapel. As ballots are cast and alliances form, Lawrence begins to suspect that something more than politics is unfolding behind the scenes. Old rivalries surface, hidden agendas emerge and a buried secret threatens to upend not only the election but the moral foundation of the Church itself. Conclave is part political thriller, part character study — a tense, atmospheric look at faith, power and conscience in one of the most mysterious institutions on earth.

The film became a surprise box-office hit, grossing $127 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Released in 2024, it saw a resurgence in popularity following the death of Pope Frances in April 2025 and the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, who reportedly saw the film. It also garnered a slew of awards, primarily for the screenplay by Peter Straughan. At our meeting, the art direction of the film was universally praised, with visually stunning scenes as well as jaw-dropping sets, including an extraordinary recreation of the Sistene Chapel. The explosive ending provoked considerable discussion, with some considering it engineered and unrealistic while others finding it satisfying and justified by the format.

For anyone intrigued by the mysterious conclave process, members recommended The Conclave (2006), which dramatizes the 1458 election. This was secretly diarised by Silvius Aeneas Piccolomini, the only cardinal ever to record the proceedings, and who was himself elected by that conclave, becoming Pope Pius II.

Our second film, A Man Called Otto (2022), stars Tom Hanks as Otto Anderson, a grumpy, meticulous widower who has given up on life after the death of his beloved wife. Living in a suburban cul-de-sac, Otto spends his days enforcing neighbourhood rules and scowling at everyone who crosses his path. But when a lively young family moves in next door — led by the warm, outspoken Marisol (played by Mariana Treviño) — Otto’s carefully guarded isolation starts to crack. What begins as irritation slowly turns into connection, as Otto finds himself drawn back into the world through unexpected acts of kindness, community and reluctant friendship.

It’s a story about grief, stubbornness and second chances, told with both humour and heart. Tom Hanks brings his trademark warmth to a role that could easily have been one-note — you see the pain behind the crankiness. The film balances bittersweet comedy with genuinely emotional moments, and while it touches on loss and loneliness, it ultimately feels life-affirming.

Members found Otto to be a moving and life-affirming film – a story about grief, stubbornness and second chances told with bittersweet humour and genuine heart. Some discussion focused on its handling of suicide, with some scenes creating considerable discomfort. Others questioned whether it was fair to market the film as a comedy and suggested that its emotional core could have been explored more deeply. Comparisons were drawn to It’s A Wonderful Life, with Otto’s journey reminding us to notice who in our neighbourhoods might benefit from small acts of kindness and connection.

For those who want to explore further, the film is based on the 2012 novel A Man Called Ove by Swedish author Fredrik Backman, a global bestseller praised for its mix of dark humour and compassion. It was first adapted into the 2015 Swedish hit, En man som heter Ove, which received two Academy Award nominations.