it is the basic ingredient. for looks, for gestures, for discover the film more than a gay story or clash between different cultures.because it has the gift to become translation of the history of the viewer. in the case of Lilting, the grace of image defines not only pieces of a puzzle but the rhythm of yourself discover. because it reminds profound relationships, the force of the past, the fears, the forms and nuances of love, the expectations, the role of the other to define things, words, decisions. a film about the transformation of solitude in a subtle friendship. delicate. impressive, touching and delicate. a film about escape from yourself. mark of a real interesting director.

An elderly, forgetful, Cambodian lady "Junn" (Pei-Pei Cheng) is visited in her care home by her son; they chat - are friendly enough - but she isn't entirely sure why he has put her there. "Kai", her son (Andrew Leung) has a secret - he is gay, and has lived for four years with boyfriend "Richard" (Ben Whishaw). When tragedy occurs, "Richard" wrestles with what is best to do for the welfare of the now grieving, but still oblivious "Junn" - who, to add to the complications doesn't speak a word of English. With the help of "Vann"; who interprets for him and for her potential beau "Alan" (Peter Bowles),he tries to help her make sense of it all, whilst coming to terms with his own situation. It's a slow, gentle tale that tries to illustrate the differences in culture - both actual and assumed - in a rather unsophisticated way. It tends to look at "Junn" rather than try to take on any perspective from her point of view, and as such seems more intent on creating an expectation of gay intolerance than actually need necessarily be the case; we don't really understand why we ever got (after 4 years) into a scenario where the boys would not have discussed their relationship with her. Nothing in writer Hong Khaou's depiction of the lady suggests she is anything other than a lonely old woman who has lost her husband. There is nothing in her character or language to lead us to believe there was any hostility being harboured - aside, perhaps, from her not much liking "Richard" at all. Perhaps it is based on some personal experience, somewhere, but I found it tended to try to make a drama out of a crisis; and all felt just too artificial for me. Cheng and Bowles as a budding couple don't really work, either - not because they are old, or set in their ways - just because they seem pretty incompatible. If it is supposed to be a social comment on mixed culture same-sex relationships it could have relied less on stereotypical assumptions and maybe it would have delivered better.

A mother tries to come to terms with sudden loss, and attempt to understand who her son was, after his untimely death.

Her world is suddenly changed in more ways than one by the presence of his (unknown to her) lover.

Together, they attempt to overcome their grief whilst struggling against not having a shared language........

Although it's not the most cinematic experience you'll ever come across, Lilting is one of those movies where we have just a few characters in the film, but they hold you in awe for the duration.

If I were to some up the film in one word, it would simply be, Natural. There are times when you feel like your not watching a drama, you feel like you are there with Whishaw and Cheng, almost like some chaperone, but not knowing who for, as each are as equally grief stricken and strong at the same time.

There performances here are brilliant, and even though they communicate through a third party, the emotional connection is evident, and gets stronger and stronger as the film progresses.

Peter Bowles adds some much needed Comic Relief to the movie, but it's only subtle, and doesn't deter you away from the main narrative. Flashbacks flesh out the emotional depth of the characters, and there's one scene involving chopsticks and bacon, that had tears streaming down my face.

It's beautifully written, touching, romantic, funny, and heart-warming, but the clever thing is that it holds this air of tension as to how Cheng will react to the films fundamental revelation.

A hidden gem from 2014, really worth seeing.