“Set in a small town in 1959 England, it is the story of a woman who decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop, a decision which becomes a political minefield.”

The above is from the press release for “The Bookshop”, a small, quiet independent film that I have a feeling would be more appreciated reading the book by Penelope Fitzgerald which it is based on, than seeing the film. “…ruthless opposition”? “…political minefield”? The opposition and minefield are very quietly done in this movie and even a scene of anger and one of death are done quietly.

“The Bookstore” is an hour and fifty-three-minute movie that should be cut to 60-90 minutes and be on PBS. Just cutting out the repetitious, yes many are beautifully shot, landscape scenes would get it into that time frame without taking anything away from the movie or its theme.

Emily Mortimer is the woman who is opening the bookshop and she does a beautiful job. The ‘ruthless local opposition’ is played by Patricia Clarkson who looks she took her character from the recently aired HBO series “Sharp Objects”, walked over to this movie set during breaks, only here she is better dressed. There is also a 14-year-old actress, Honor Kneassey, who holds her own with Emily Mortimer in many of their scenes together.

Bill Nighy, in this movie, as he does in many, gives a quiet, strong performance that holds your eyes and ears each time he is on screen. On the opposite end is the performance by James Lance who plays a sleazy, disreputable producer who seems to belong in another movie.

Isabel Coixet directed and wrote the screenplay and makes you want to pick up the book and read it as it just has that feel to it is one to get ‘lost’ in.

The “Bookkeeper” is a movie that belongs on the small screen and a story that belongs in a book!

Spoiler??? At the very end you will see who is doing the voiceover and I must admit it took me by surprise. Stay for the credits.

Movie Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRPNUHOS6yE