Bill Nighy’s “memorable” Ireland-set drama 500 Miles has confirmed its UK release date – and there isn’t long to wait. The film will be hitting Irish cinemas on 15 May, before heading over to Great Britain on 26 June.
Based on Mark Lowery’s popular 2018 novel Charlie and Me: 421 Miles From Home, the upcoming film is billed as a “poetic, life-affirming road movie and celebration of the human spirit”.
It follows two brothers who decide to flee their home when tensions within their fractured family reach an unbearable peak. They set off on a monumental journey, forcing their loved ones to reconcile after years of estrangement.
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“While their fighting parents tear their hair out with worry, runaways Finn and his live-wire younger brother Charlie embark on an epic adventure from Yorkshire, over land and sea, to the Wild West coast of Ireland,” reads the synopsis.
“With the free-spirited busker Cáit helping the young boys along the way, their destination is Dingle, County Kerry, and their estranged, beloved grandfather, who their parents haven’t spoken to since the fateful events of the previous summer.”
Roman Griffin Davis and Dexter Sol Ansell star as Finn and Charlie, respectively, with Clare Dunne and Michael Socha playing the bickering parents. Nighy, meanwhile, stars as the boys’ grandfather John, while Maisie Williams portrays the kind-hearted stranger Cáit.
500 Miles is directed by four-time BAFTA winner Morgan Matthews and written by Malcolm Campbell. It premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival back in February, where it was described as an “unforgettable journey featuring an incredible cast”.
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Elsewhere, Film Ireland called the adaptation “powerful and memorable” in its review, praising Nighy’s “deeply moving and heartfelt” performance as “a man who has lost everything and believes he has nothing left to live for”.
“The story unfolds at an engaging pace, expertly edited with just the right number of flashbacks to show how far the characters have fallen from their once-happy lives,” it continued in its review.
500 Miles will be released in cinemas on 15 May in Ireland, and on 26 June in the UK.
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a “telly addict” since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information. Â