Film Pick of the Week: 23 Walks - Review by Yvette Huddleston

Steadman plays twice divorced Fern who, while out walking her Yorkshire terrier Henry, chastises retired psychiatric nurse Dave (Johns) for not having his bouncy German Shepherd on a lead – poor little Henry has been spooked by the much bigger dog. Over subsequent encounters, however, Fern warms to Dave, a kind, thoughtful man, and to his canine companion Tillie. She finds him easy company and they are able to share their pain – Fern, whose husband has left her for a much younger woman, feels hurt, angry and humiliated, while Dave is mourning the loss of his beloved wife. On their walks they talk of family – Fern’s daughter is getting married in the Canary Islands and Dave, who speaks Spanish, offers to teach Fern a few phrases; he tells her of his sometimes-tense relationship with his daughter and of his son who lives in Australia. As the human friendship develops, so too does the one between the dogs.

Soon Dave is introducing Fern to his grandchildren, who instantly take to her on a summer picnic, and inviting her to his home for candlelit dinners. “Romantic; I’m not quite ready for that,” says Fern, but her heart is way ahead of her and they tentatively begin a sweetly old-fashioned courtship. Inevitably, there are hiccups along the way. It turns out that Dave has not been entirely honest with Fern about his situation and as someone who has been badly let down previously, she finds it difficult to forgive him for misleading her.

Writer-director Paul Morrison paints a kind portrait of a mature love affair but doesn’t sugar-coat it – the script addresses the difficulties that can arise in such relationships. After all, the older you are, the more baggage you have to deal with – the spectre of the former spouse, the sensibilities of adult children, housing issues. Fern’s ex-husband is keen to sell the marital home and wants Fern out, while Dave is struggling to pay his rent – for reasons which become apparent. He is about to be evicted from the home he has lived in for decades and moved to another part of London, far from family and friends. Steadman and Johns have a nice chemistry and both give lovely performances – warm, well-observed and authentic.