What does it mean to live? Living aims to not answer that question so much as explore how much the zest for life is lost the older people get. Adapted from the 1952 Japanese film Ikiru, which was inspired by Leo Tolstoy’s 1886 novel The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Living is directed by Oliver Hermanus from a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro. Boasting a lovely, vulnerable performance by Bill Nighy, Living is a rousing drama that gets to the heart of being human and what gets in the way of living life to its fullest.
Bill Nighy’s Mr. Williams is a man who is stuck in his ways; he likes to keep things in a specific order, and has fallen into the trap of bureaucracy, which sees him becoming a shell of himself. His stoic, grumpy demeanor is wildly different from that of Peter Wakeling’s (Alex Sharp), who is new to Mr. Williams’ office and whose optimism is quickly squashed after his first day. After Mr. Williams receives the news that he has only months left to live, he decides to figure out how to truly live a full life. The only issue is he no longer remembers how to do that. With the help of Margaret Harris (Aimee Lou Wood), an assistant who previously worked with him who becomes his friend, Mr. Williams attempts to live the rest of his days doing things that are worthwhile.
Unlike most films that tackle living with death looming over them, Living is a simple story, one that doesn’t see Mr. Williams learning to skydive or going off on some wild adventure in a bid to feel alive again. Rather, the film is full of longing and regret, but it allows Nighy’s character to search for his own purpose, however small. In a poignant scene Mr. Williams explains to Margaret that he doesn’t want to be like the child who sits on the sidelines while other kids are playing, waiting to be called back inside without participating in life. The film doesn’t take the oft-repeated “live today like there’s no tomorrow” to heart, perfectly content to focus on what Mr. Williams is capable of doing for others in his position while he still can.
With jobs being as time-consuming and repetitive as they are, one begins to forget what it’s like to have the energy and optimism to lead a fulfilling, robust life. To that end, Living remembers Mr. Williams’ humanity and allows him to shed the bureaucratic rigidity and formulaic life he’s been leading. As he does so, the film begins to thaw along with him, becoming heartwarming, thoughtful, and emotional. There’s a touching sensitivity and longing that permeates the film, uplifting the film’s finale. Hermanus infuses the film with tenderness and gentle moments that underscore Nighy’s own performance, which is open and humble. Aimee Lou Wood is quite lovely here as well, bringing hope and empathy to her role.
Living also highlights the bursts of inspiration one might have in terms of leaving the bureaucratic life behind, while showcasing how easy it can be to fall back into old habits because they’re comfortable. Can one truly live if they’re confined to their work and the strict rules that make up the system that keeps things from advancing? Living suggests that one must fully embrace the present and persevere despite the obstacles that will surely stand in the way. The film, though set in another time period, speaks to the present, where the stress of the everyday makes it increasingly difficult to live life to its fullest. The film, with its warmth, emotion, and earnestness, is a reminder that the act of living, and not just going through the motions, is a choice worth making.
Living had its 2022 Middleburg Film Festival premiere in October. The film releases in limited theaters on December 23, and will expand in January 2023. It is 102 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for some suggestive material and smoking.