Ageing with the actors

The second film in a week, and the quality keeps being maintained. I was a bit worried about seeing Testament of Youth – could be slushy, might be an anti-climax after the brilliant TV series – but it was fine.

It was, though, very strange to see Emily Watson in her second ‘Mum’ role in five days. She was fine, but even so – tiny part, nothing much to work with. That’s Emily Watson, bright, hot, rising hope – that used to be. If she’s now seen as middle-aged, what does that make me? I know the answer to that. As a student I watch the teenage Judi Dench being stunning in Talking to a Stranger, and ever since then we’ve aged together, her rather more gracefully than me. Ah well.