It’s a testament to the quality and talent of an actor that, in their youth, they can wow you with their intensity and striking looks – and some 40 years later continue to give compelling performances which, though tempered with age, remind you of the reason you found them so extraordinary in the first place.

Two actors, in relation to this film, have trodden this path in different guises.

Vanessa Redgrave, from acting royalty, who has distinguished herself on stage and screen since she first arrived, and Terence Stamp – who is not often given the chance to shine as a lead in his own right – putting his quiet authority on a film exploring the effects of losing a long term partner and dealing with the aftermath.

Arthur (Stamp) has been looking after his wife Marion (Redgrave) for some time, after a gruelling fight with cancer, and is now in the final few months of her life. While Marion is loved by all who meet her, and is the life and soul of the OAPZ – the choir group featuring local seniors she sings for - Arthur is introverted and pessimistic.

While you can see an incredibly strong relationship between the two, his dealings with others, and in particular his son James (Christopher Ecclestone), are much harder. In the course of Marion’s passing and afterwards, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with the outspoken and much younger choir leader Elizabeth (Gemma Arterton), who manages to persuade him to take Marion’s place in the group and start to come out of himself.

Song For Marion is an absolute gem of a film with an outstanding performance from Stamp, and equally brilliant supporting work from Redgrave.

Stamp manages to convey all the conflicting emotions of this complex character with understated dignity and carries the film. It’s the kind of performance which deserves awards, and while the Oscars may have passed, one hopes he is remembered in some other capacity this year. Arterton and Ecclestone offer sterling work as well. It is an incredibly sad and moving film, where the comedy – which the trailer seems to offer – is few and far between.

This should not take away from an excellent film with memorable perfomances.

8/10