28 reviews
The Leads Make the Film
I enjoyed 23 Walks, perhaps because I'm now of the age of the lead characters who discover love against the odds. I became an admirer of Dave Johns in I, Daniel Blake, and in this film, in my opinion, he comes up trumps again, playing everyman to perfection. This is a slice of the lives of two ordinary people, dealing with ordinary situations in a natural, human way. I for one am glad that such films are being made.
- nigelgatherer
- Dec 26, 2020
- Permalink
Sweet film
This is a sweet film. Lots of snarky family telling older people what to do and how to do it. The dogs made the film!! Of course. Don't they always? Good scenery!
The concept of counting walks with the dogs to meander along with this couple was a sweet way to segue from one day to another.
The concept of counting walks with the dogs to meander along with this couple was a sweet way to segue from one day to another.
Lovely Film
I really enjoyed this, apart from a few minutes in the beginning. I had a feeling it was going to show one walk after another. However, after showing a couple of walks it settled into more, and quickly became an easy to watch film. A few occasions I felt a little annoyed at the characters and wished they had behaved differently, this though could be said in real life,people do not behave in the way we wish all the time, and with that said, the writing of the story must have been pretty decent to make the characters believable.
I would say, though, that I would hazard a guess that this film would be lost on, let's say, under 50 year olds, due to a few of the situations. All in all though, for me, a well spent hour and a half of so.
I would say, though, that I would hazard a guess that this film would be lost on, let's say, under 50 year olds, due to a few of the situations. All in all though, for me, a well spent hour and a half of so.
- sbrookes-15808
- Oct 5, 2022
- Permalink
Real life
This story is about real people with real lives. It's very relatable and realistic. I enjoyed it.
Very watchable
This is a nice little story, very watchable. It's not a masterpiece by any stretch, but I found it enjoyable, heartwarming in places.
Not sure about the main characters, particularly their reactions to certain events. I haven't decided yet whether this is due to poor acting or poor script! Having seen 'Our Souls at Night' a few years back (which I loved) I couldn't help but compare and this definitely wasn't a patch on Our Souls.
It's also listed as a comedy...I didn't really find it funny...nevertheless worth a watch for some light entertainment with a feel good factor thrown in.
PS best actors were the canines.
Not sure about the main characters, particularly their reactions to certain events. I haven't decided yet whether this is due to poor acting or poor script! Having seen 'Our Souls at Night' a few years back (which I loved) I couldn't help but compare and this definitely wasn't a patch on Our Souls.
It's also listed as a comedy...I didn't really find it funny...nevertheless worth a watch for some light entertainment with a feel good factor thrown in.
PS best actors were the canines.
Slow Yet Moving
I have mixed feelings about 23 Walks. As I am about the same age that the two protagonists are, I related to several of their "issues" which was what kept me interested. At the same time this is a pure "relationship film" in which what happens is related to feelings and interactions with others, in addition to the aging process. It's also about relationships with and between dogs. I stayed with it but at times considered turning it off. The acting was quite good and one of the best features of the film was the camera shots of woods, meadows, and seasons changing. Likewise the sounds of birds and other aspects of nature were wonderful. If you want to watch a calm yet emotional film, and/or are a dog lover, this could be it.
- Moviegoer19
- Jan 28, 2023
- Permalink
Well, I supppose the scenery was nice...
Undaunted by the rather lacklustre rating that 23 Walks had received on IMDB, I approached the film with an open mind. A film with Alison Steadman and Dave Johns in the central roles, set against a backdrop of London's beautiful Hampstead Heath, and telling the tale of a late-flowering romance would be, at the very least, a painless way to pass an hour and three quarters.
Sadly, I was disappointed. The film never really seemed to come together. Steadman and Johns worked with an underwhelming script and never exhibited as actors the chemistry that their characters were supposed to be experiencing - I found myself wondering more than once just what it was that Fern (Steadman) and Dave (Johns) saw in each other .
A good director should always strive to bring out the best in the cast but all too often I found that the finished product felt like a recording of a rehearsal, with the leads struggling to find the correct timing or natural rhythm in their often unnatural sounding dialogue.
The storyline swung back and forth in a manner too restless for a movie of this nature rendering it an unconvincing battle against the odds, rather than a gentle rom-com.
I have given 23 Walks six points when in fact, it only merits five and a half.
Sadly, I was disappointed. The film never really seemed to come together. Steadman and Johns worked with an underwhelming script and never exhibited as actors the chemistry that their characters were supposed to be experiencing - I found myself wondering more than once just what it was that Fern (Steadman) and Dave (Johns) saw in each other .
A good director should always strive to bring out the best in the cast but all too often I found that the finished product felt like a recording of a rehearsal, with the leads struggling to find the correct timing or natural rhythm in their often unnatural sounding dialogue.
The storyline swung back and forth in a manner too restless for a movie of this nature rendering it an unconvincing battle against the odds, rather than a gentle rom-com.
I have given 23 Walks six points when in fact, it only merits five and a half.
If it's on TV, go for 25 Walks
- brian-85466
- Nov 1, 2020
- Permalink
If you want real life this is it.
Writers and actors have hit the nail on the head, the UK had many issues and they have raised them well in this film. It's not a blockbuster film and I believe it was never meant to be one. It's worth a watch.
- joes1995-206-521475
- Sep 18, 2021
- Permalink
Sweet FiIm About Seniors - 23 Walks
Coming of age films come in various categories. It is not just Stand By Me becoming a teenager, or graduating from high school as in American Grafitti, or becoming an adult as in The Graduate and Young Adult, with Charlize Theron. No, coming of age does not stop there. It continues when we learn about raising families, and continues further when our families leave us to move on to adulthood themselves. Finally, we come to our senior years and we have all been there and done that. This little film shows how life is still interesting way past your sixties. Nice acting job by both leads and good direction.
- arthur_tafero
- Nov 7, 2022
- Permalink
Walking Around in Circles
Why does Graham Cole (a.k.a PC Stamp) get top billing?Dave Johns and Alison Steadman are the only major characters and they do a fine job with a script that lacks originality or plot. I was expecting a major incident to launch the story but it never happened.
There is, of course, great care to achieve racial balance and this adds to the impression that the whole movie is calculated and formulaic.
Anyone familiar with the book / film "Our Souls at Night" will see the similarities. There must be an untapped market for love stories involving aged baby-boomers but this attempt covers old ground. It is tedious and just runs out of steam. Very disappointing.
- jamesmoule
- Aug 18, 2020
- Permalink
Warm, real and hopeful, without being sentimental
Beautifully written and played, dialogue is spot on. A believable tale of every day life.
- ian-830-550812
- Sep 29, 2020
- Permalink
Spoiler alert!
- craigmount-66928
- May 4, 2023
- Permalink
Kitchen Sink Drama, In The Sink!
- martimusross
- Nov 11, 2023
- Permalink
Worth The Watch
- hobbitmann
- Nov 15, 2020
- Permalink
Ambling Entertainment
- southdavid
- Oct 24, 2021
- Permalink
Alison Steadman is brilliant!!!!!
Charmless
Attempt at a low-key "Autumn Romance" ultimately falls flat thanks to charmless characters, a complete absence of humour, a dull script and some genuinely excruciating moments.
- davidssefton
- Jan 23, 2021
- Permalink
Wooden acting
This is an easy going, undemanding sort of a movie that stumbles along, without any real flow or cohesion.
It's about two sixty somethings, who are now single, and meet up while walking their dogs. The movie is supposed to show how their relationship develops over the course of 23 walks.
Simple enough, but, to be honest, it's only the two dogs that make it watchable.
Alison Steadman carries off her role competently, as you would expect.
My initial concern was that it might be a bit twee. However, what really lets the film down is the wooden acting of Dave Johns. He is just so unconvincing that it's difficult to empathise with his character. Nor can you relate to the issues in the film because of this.
It's about two sixty somethings, who are now single, and meet up while walking their dogs. The movie is supposed to show how their relationship develops over the course of 23 walks.
Simple enough, but, to be honest, it's only the two dogs that make it watchable.
Alison Steadman carries off her role competently, as you would expect.
My initial concern was that it might be a bit twee. However, what really lets the film down is the wooden acting of Dave Johns. He is just so unconvincing that it's difficult to empathise with his character. Nor can you relate to the issues in the film because of this.
- mcallister126
- Jun 30, 2023
- Permalink
Well paced
I really liked this film it had a nice pace to it and I'm a big fan of Alison steadman anyway so it's nice to see her in film. Dave John's gives a terrific performance too and plenty of good comedic lines. The dogs were fantastic. It reminded me a bit of a Mike leigh film in its pace and script. Funnily enough steadman was married to Mike leigh for 20 odd years!
It has moments of sadness and comedy combined. The scenery was nice where they walked their dogs and the houses used looked cosy. Overall an impressive film, one that I'll keep on dvd to watch again.
It has moments of sadness and comedy combined. The scenery was nice where they walked their dogs and the houses used looked cosy. Overall an impressive film, one that I'll keep on dvd to watch again.
- vansantfan
- Feb 5, 2021
- Permalink
Nice idea but slow and dperessing
On paper this could be an endearing and brave film - in reality it is quite an arduous experience.
For this setup you really need to connect with the main characters - I just didn't.
Rather than rounded personalities they just feel like sums of their many misfortunes.
The dialogue between the two is stilted and doesn't feel organic. Dave dispenses fortune cookie nuggets in between making some shockingly bad moves. Fern just switches between guarded and angry with some rare moments of what could almost pass as joy.
The film is visually flat: taking place in grey fields, drab council offices, dour flats and hospitals.
The story is very simple but even then, it relies on some rather silly decisions to generate some conflict.
All 23 walks of the title are almost all identical.
As much as I wanted to like this, everything about it feels designed to suck the energy from you.
I found the themes of sickness, loneliness, isolation, entropy, poverty and tedium totally draining.
For this setup you really need to connect with the main characters - I just didn't.
Rather than rounded personalities they just feel like sums of their many misfortunes.
The dialogue between the two is stilted and doesn't feel organic. Dave dispenses fortune cookie nuggets in between making some shockingly bad moves. Fern just switches between guarded and angry with some rare moments of what could almost pass as joy.
The film is visually flat: taking place in grey fields, drab council offices, dour flats and hospitals.
The story is very simple but even then, it relies on some rather silly decisions to generate some conflict.
All 23 walks of the title are almost all identical.
As much as I wanted to like this, everything about it feels designed to suck the energy from you.
I found the themes of sickness, loneliness, isolation, entropy, poverty and tedium totally draining.
- thekarmicnomad
- Jun 17, 2023
- Permalink
Excellent script
I enjoyed this film very much. The characters are a similar age to myself. And the depiction of a relationships and issues in later life are very true to life. It's very well written and the actors are well cast. The pace and direction is just right.
- cathyannemoore-66196
- Oct 8, 2021
- Permalink
Sweet Story of Loss and Love (AKA, 'LIFE')
Found the circumstances to be very relatable and a good reflection of modern, messy, complicated life. Reminded me that - no matter our age - there's plenty of life to live and that, by embracing the grief that life delivers to us all, we can learn to live in the moment with grief as a constant, but not dominant, companion.
Glad we discovered this little gem.
Glad we discovered this little gem.
Lovely
It was such a sweet film. The scenes in the park were beautiful. Two phenomenal actors showing how two people can come together under difficult circumstances but I was cheering for them.
Beautiful
Wonderful story and reminiscing about my roots in North London.