Supernova is the type of film that was made more often decades ago, not that there is not a place for it nowadays, there most definitely is, but for younger, less patient audiences, the slow burn and intense focus on a long relationship and the strains a serious illness can put on it most certainly would be divisive. Putting aside those that will hate this because ‘nothing happens’ and ‘there’s lots of talking’ and there’s no exploding helicopters, Supernova is a sad and superb two-hander performed by two top actors at the top of their game.

Thankful Basil Exposition is not in this film so when we turn up in Sam and Tucker’s life, we must glean what has happened prior to events we are seeing and figure it out for ourselves. You know like thinking, intelligent adults. The story slowly unfolds as we see the two men bickering over satnavs, maps and the minutia of a life lived together over decades. It is clear they love each other but the story does not avoid the creaking of the ship of love as it sails life’s seas.

Without doubt the story is shored up and made more watchable because Firth and Tucci, close friends for decades in real life, are quite brilliant in the role of the gay lovers. The loving gay couple portrayed proving you do not need a gay actor to play these roles, just as a gay actor can play a heterosexual. Along with the script, the little glances, subtle signals, and moments of intimacy are there to be seen and genuinely believed, you do not need a brush writ large to demonstrate these and actors at the top of their game, such as Firth and Tucci, prove this.

The speech at the dinner with friends in the last third is a masterclass in the subtle acting saying more than any waving of arms and ‘declaiming’. The small supporting cast, seen in this section of the film is believable as relatives and friends and add to the nuance. A quick shout out to James Dreyfus, late of ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’ and ‘The Thin Blue Line’ who pops up in an entirely non-comedic role, almost unrecognisable.

The story never wanders off track or outlasts its welcome and bracketed by some beautifully shot visages of the Lake District, cinematography courtesy of Dick Pope, that four seasons in one day part of the UK looks magnificent, probably better than it does it real life.

But the story is fundamentally a two-hander dialogue-driven play between two men. Both face terrible hardships that will end in a very much different way for them. We get an insight into the raw emotions that the pressure of a debilitating and ultimately terminal illness places on the individuals within a couple. This is personal to me, so I have a dog in the fight.

I cannot reveal what happens to the characters but anyone familiar with dementia knows the final outcome. Supernova is subtle and holds a microscope up to a relationship ending neither person wants. That the couple are gay man is unimportant and the Tusker’s crisis and fight with dementia is not overly sentimental or played for tears, although you will probably cry.

I understand the topic may not be comfortable for everyone, it was not for me, my mother ending her days bellowing at the top of her lungs or lying half comatose repeating ‘I want to go home’ in either situation, due to her not very cinematic type of dementia. I understand that a gay couple may make less enlightened people uncomfortable, and the slow river the film is will turn others off, but truth be told more than a few of us will live this story in one form or another in our lives. Harry MacQueen and his cast bring to the screen a fresh honesty, which shows compassion and love and all the emotions in-between in an exceedingly challenging time in a couple’s life.

No doubt about it if Harry MacQueen carries on in this vein, he will produce thoughtful and interesting films in the future.

If this opinion piques your interest, I heartily recommend Supernova, if you read it and think ‘yuck’ [not about my writing but the description] then I would say avoid it, unless you like to challenge yourself – and you should.

For a film riding its simplicity this hard, 'Supernova' is still a worthy and patient portrait of every couple's worst nightmare. It serves as a reminder to hold the ones you love tight, in an experience designed to make your heart swell before shattering it completely.
- Ashley Teresa

Read Ashley's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-supernova-colin-firth-and-stanley-tuccis-comforting-yet-confronting-romance

It’s been said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, and such is the story of partners Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci). The two men are taking a road trip through the English countryside, visiting friends, family, and special places from their past. The two reminisce on their decades-old relationship, and things seem to be going well — until one day, Sam finds Tusker standing in the middle of traffic, confused about where he is.

Do not dismiss “Supernova” as just another movie about dementia, which seems to be the topic du jour of late. Writer / director Harry Macqueen‘s restrained tale of morality and love ascends to a different level of sadness and sophistication, with atmospheric melancholy flowing from his sparse (and effective) storytelling. This movie is sadness.

It’s revealed that Tusker was a writer and he can no longer practice his craft, while Sam is a pianist who has put his life on hold to seize what may be one of the last few opportunities to spend time with his love. The two wrestle with the dwindling sense of normalcy, and a devastating secret reveals that they have very different ideas for their future.

Firth and Tucci both turn out some of the best work of their respective careers. The chemistry between the two is a significant element of what makes this film tick. Their performances are extraordinarily moving, and it’s heartbreaking to watch as the emotional toll from a debilitating illness begins to take root. Tusker faces his worsening condition with humor and honesty, and will do everything to remain in control of his own destiny. Sam is willing to abandon everything about himself and his life just to take care of and spend one more second with his partner, and he’s having a difficult time facing the reality of his future. It’s an honest look at the practical versus emotional approach to what essentially is a death sentence.

Macqueen’s screenplay is filled with honest, raw writing and beautifully sad dialogue. There isn’t one thing in this film that isn’t believable, and that’s what makes “Supernova” so successful in portraying the reality of life, death, and love.

This is one of those quiet movies that tells a simple core of a story mostly through dialogue and facial expressions, the kind of movie that drives some viewers crazy, running for the exits complaining that nothing happens.

I saw criticism somewhere because two straight actors were cast for the roles of the gay lead characters, the standard issue of Weren’t there any gay actors they could find? I am not offended by this bit of casting, but I am not gay either. Surely many gay actors have played straight roles, right? Though let’s face it, that was born out of a long history of actors not being able to reveal their sexuality or risk damaging their careers. But it must be considered a good sign that now actors do not fear poor press by playing the roles of gay men.

Anyway, it is a good movie, well written and performed skillfully by a solid ensemble cast. It is not your typical road trip movie because mostly the journal is internal, so we don’t see much in the way of sweeping scenery. I occasionally felt the lack of details in scene transitions, but it was hardly fatal to the story. Such as the house they came to stay at — I wasn’t sure how it came about, but then again, it was not critical to the plot that we know.

I can’t say I would go out of my way to watch Supernova again (so many movies and programs, so little time), but neither would I change the channel or leave the room if it comes on.