Benediction

This melancholy drama charts the life of gay English poet Siegfried Sassoon, and shines a light on the long-lasting effects of his stay in a psychiatric hospital during the First World War. Played in his later years by Peter Capaldi, Sassoon trawls through the memories of his younger self (Jack Lowden), recounting his place in London society, his turbulent relationships, and his crisis of faith as he converts to Catholicism. Writer/director Terence Davies (A Quiet Passion) blends sadness with subtle wit, as celebrated public figures (including Jeremy Irvine as songwriter Ivor Novello) toast their own success while attempting to keep their sexuality hidden. The episodic narrative is occasionally frustrating, requiring viewers to fill in numerous gaps themselves, but the film is blessed with a layered central performance by Lowden, who beautifully captures Sassoon's quiet dignity.