The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023) Review

Harold Fry has somewhat stumbled through his life and the tension with his wife Maureen makes for a difficult living situation. When he receives a letter from an old work colleague in Queenie, that she is dying in a hospice when going to post the letter he decides to walk to see her. Across the whole of England!

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The premise of the story really does sound like it will be a feel good film and have a lot going for it and quite frankly it feels as though it is based on a true story. Although that is not actually the case it is based on a book by Rachel Joyce, but it did feel as though it was a real story which I guess in the end was a little bit strange.

Harold Fry didn’t really do much of note throughout his life and that is something Maureen seems to constantly remind everyone when he begins his rather outrageous quest. From Devon all the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed which is 500 miles, without thinking about taking anything on his pilgrimage and even wearing the correct footwear.

We are shown in flashback form throughout the film the trauma that led to the breakdown in communication with Maureen and the son that he did not really know how to deal with during difficult times. As well as the relationship with Queenie and why he had so badly let her down. It really did hint at that it was going to be an affair between the pair and even Maureen seemed to be very suspicious about it all.

I had hoped that the film would show some self discovery and moments of pure joy, but it fell short of the joy part and was quite frankly a lot of hurt and trauma. I guess in many ways that then makes it easy to relate to as everyone has difficult and tough times. We don’t however decide to head off on a 500 mile walk without any real plan behind it.

Some positives though had to be showing so many different amazing shots of so many areas in England and the north east being shown with the Angel of the North in the background of one walking shot. I am sure people from different parts of England will like when the area they live in is shown on the quest. Jim Broadbent really gave it his all in the leading role and gets some good scenes. Penelope Wilton is also given some decent moments, but her character just moans and complains constantly.

Overall though I think this film falls a little bit short of expectations given the talent and key plot which was more of a shame than anything.