Review of Of Time and the City (2008) by Paolo R — 17 Nov 2008

I think Terence Davies description of this film as a poem to Liverpool rather than a documentary is far more suitable description. Davies intertwines his own life and the struggles he has faced growing up in Liverpool through his narration. He also shows Liverpool and how it has changed as a city visually through an archive of footage. I felt the warmth that Davies feels for the city he spent his formative years in but also the tinge of sadness that this city is now a stranger to him. Its clear however Liverpool is still a big part of Terence Davies make up from his strict Catholic (now atheist) upbringing, to his deep seated issues with his homosexuality. Davies manages to show life for the Scouse masses in the early parts of this century its stark realities and hardships. He also shows through his own life how the very same masses survived, lived and laughed with great warmth and affection.

I really enjoyed this film and the biggest compliment I can ever pay any film is that I have been to see it again.