Metroland

"It's not a place, it's a state of mind."

Aug 21 1998 R 1h 45m
Comedy, Drama

In late-1970s suburban London, Chris and Marion have settled into a comfortable yet all-too-predictable middle-class existence. Chris receives an unexpected visit from his free-spirited friend Toni, a reunion that reminds him of a more carefree time in 1960s Paris. Now, with lingering doubts about his marriage bubbling up, Chris must make the choice between revisiting his youthful abandon with Toni or facing the here and now with Marion.

Plot

After ten years absence Toni, Chris's best friend, suddenly reappears in London to bring chaos and doubt into Chris's calm, tranquil, slightly boring, predictable life. Chris starts to remember his carefree youth as a photographer in Paris when he lived with and enjoyed a torrid affair with Annick. It was also in Paris that he first met and fell in love with Marion. The temptations and pressure exerted on Chris by Toni to return to their former carefree life of sex, drugs and rock'n'roll soon starts to have an impact on Chris's marriage. He starts to question his values, his lifestyle choices and his relationship with Marion and even suspects her of starting an affair with Toni whom she dislikes! Eventually circumstances come to a head and Chris is forced to decide whether to follow Toni back to the hedonistic, irresponsible life of his youth or face the harsh realities of the present and stay with Marion.

Written by

Julian Barnes, Adrian Hodges

Directed by

Philip Saville

Production Countries

United Kingdom, France, Spain

Production Companies

Arts Council of England, Blue Horizon Productions, Eurimages, European Co-production Fund, MACT Productions, Filmanía S.L.

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
3,736
Average Rating
6.3 out of 10
Metascore
53
Popularity
NA