The Long Day Closes

Name: The Long Day Closes
Director: Terence Davies
Genre: Drama
Released: 1992-05-22
Rating: 7.19

May 22, 1992· 1h 25m

Drama

Directed by

Terence Davies

Cast

Leigh McCormack Marjorie Yates Anthony Watson Nicholas Lamont Ayse Owens Tina Malone +15 more ↓

Cinemagraphs Score7.2

Bud is a lonely and quiet boy whose moments of solace occur when he sits in rapture at the local cinema, watching towering and iconic figures on the movie screen. The movies give Bud the strength to get through another day as he deals with his oppressive school environment and his burgeoning homosexuality.

Critics Sentiment

Critics7.2

No audience data yet —

1 — Hated it5 — Neutral10 — Masterpiece

Critics

8+ Great

6-8 Good

<6 Poor

18 reviews·Last updated 22d ago

Peak Moment

Bud rests his head on mother's breast while she sings

9.1at 47m

Lowest Moment

Film becomes increasingly plotless with memory fragments

5.8at 38m

Biggest Swing

The film drops significantly when its plotless structure becomes most apparent, then soars to its highest point with the tender mother-son moment.

Critics were divided between those who found Davies' poetic, plotless approach to be pure cinema magic and those who felt frustrated by the lack of narrative drive. The film's stunning visuals and emotional authenticity in family moments earned widespread praise, but its fragmented structure and passive protagonist left some reviewers cold. Overall, the film succeeded as an artistic achievement while failing to satisfy viewers seeking traditional storytelling.

18 reviews analyzed|Sources: Imdb, Tmdb