Synopsis
Liverpool, 1978: What starts as a vibrant affair between a legendary femme-fatale, the eccentric Academy Award-winning actress Gloria Grahame, and her young lover, British actor Peter Turner, quickly grows into a deeper relationship, with Turner being the person Gloria turns to for comfort.
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Cast
- Annette BeningGloria Grahame
- Jamie BellPeter Turner
- Julie WaltersBella Turner
- Stephen GrahamJoe Turner, Jr
- Kenneth CranhamJoe Turner
- Leanne BestEileen
- Vanessa RedgraveJeanne McDougall
- Frances BarberJoy
- James BloorDan
- Tom BrittneyTim
Recommendations
- 90
The Hollywood Reporter
There is no denying the emotional force that this film develops, and for that, we can credit talented filmmakers and two stars working at the height of their powers. - 83
Entertainment Weekly
It’s a minor-key tale by any measure: a May-December romance played out in the fading shadow of Old Hollywood glamour. But it also has the benefit of a thoughtful script, sensitive direction, and leads gifted enough to breathe fresh air into nearly every moment. - 80
The Guardian
It’s a beguiling story and Bell and Bening are tremendous as the star-crossed lovers. - 80
Screen Daily
Although there’s certainly a lot going on on screen, our attention is focused on Bening’s central performance. - 80
Empire
It’s a classy weepy with some killer dialogue, but Bening is the big sell here. Given one of the juiciest roles of her career, she makes every moment count. - 75
The Playlist
While Bening is incredible playing a fading Hollywood starlet in Paul McGuigan’s Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool, it’s her co-star, Jamie Bell, who might be the film’s real secret weapon. - 70
Variety
Over-production-designed as the film is, Bening and Bell manage to hold their own within it. - 58
The A.V. Club
While Bening does a studied impression of Grahame’s supple body language, she uses a light touch when recreating her Betty Boop-esque voice, letting Grahame’s seductiveness ooze from her gorgeously refined pores.
