Still Life, movie review: Eddie Marsan gives a likeable performance in well-observed drama

(12A) Uberto Pasolini, 92 mins Starring: Eddie Marsan

Eddie Marsan stars as a council worker in Still Life

The director Uberto Pasolini (best known as producer of The Full Monty) had the idea for Still Life when he read a newspaper story about British council workers entrusted with tracking down the next of kin of those who died alone.

Eddie Marsan plays John May, one of these council workers, a lonely man himself but one who attends as many funerals as he can.

May also writes eulogies for the dead in a bid to give them a taste of dignity and recognition. His dedication isn't shared by the Council, who want to sack him after 22 years.

This is a gentle, well-observed drama with a very likeable performance from Marsan as the Mr Benn-like hero. The ending, though, is just a little too treacly.