Deborah Ross

I cried twice: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry reviewed

One of those rare instances where the film is better than the book

Jim Broadbent as Harold and Penelope Wilton as Maureen
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  • The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is an excellent adaptation of Rachel Joyce’s bestselling novel (2012) about a retired old fella who traverses England on foot in the belief he can save a friend dying of cancer. It could have been twee or sentimental (that was the fear) but instead it is spare and restrained and while there are occasional jarring moments it is still wonderfully tender and full of feeling.

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