23 Walks

While walking her terrier across Hampstead Heath in North London, a woman (Alison Steadman) gets into an altercation with a Geordie (Dave Johns) whose alsatian is off the lead. Although the set-up hints at a class-clash "meet-cute", this is actually the warmly unshowy work of writer/director Paul Morrison (Oscar-nominated for Solomon and Gaenor). It's a moving, relaxed, honest portrait of two later-life singletons who aren't looking for love, but who find it anyway. While Morrison's stylistic flourishes can feel forced (each of the film's dog walks is numbered and captioned), the unfolding drama does not, as the apparent widower and straightforward divorcée encounter a bumpier ride than their simpatico dogs. Johns is subdued and engaging, while Steadman carries the tricky emotional moments, from which a believable union emerges. And while the Ken Loach-esque problems with housing are rushed, overall this is a steady, unforced slice of autumnal life.