Timothy Spall‘s “bittersweet” British movie The Last Bus is airing on TV tonight.
The film, which was first released in 2021, follows a widower called Tom (played by Spall) who travels the length of Britain from John o’ Groats in north east Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall using his free bus pass.
The journey is to fulfil a promise made to his late wife to scatter her ashes at the place where they first met and lived happily together.
If you want to catch The Last Bus, it is airing on BBC Two this evening at 11pm, and is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
The movie comes from director Gillies MacKinnon (Torvill & Dean) and writer Joe Ainsworth (Holby City), and also stars Downton Abbey‘s Phyllis Logan.
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At the time of its release, it received a mixed reception from critics, and stands at a 50% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.
In a positive review, Cinemalogue wrote: “Extolling the virtues of public transportation and reciprocal kindness toward seniors, this bittersweet British road-trip drama overcomes its earnest sentimentality thanks to Timothy Spall’s powerfully understated performance.”
Film Threat added that it was “a touching film that will remind all of us to embrace the ones we love as often as we can”, though in a less positive verdict, The Observer called it a “plodding road-trip movie”.
Related: Timothy Spall’s best BBC shows for fans that have already binge-watched Death Valley
Spall can currently be seen on screen in new BBC series Death Valley, which has quickly become a ratings smash for the broadcaster – landing the largest overnight audience for a new BBC scripted comedy in half a decade with its premiere.
The murder mystery show sees the star play eccentric retired actor John Chapel, who forms an unlikely partnership with local detective DS Janie Mallowan (Gwyneth Keyworth) to solve crimes in Wales.
Digital Spy said the series “has that must-watch feel to it – once you start, you’ll want to keep going” in our four-star review, which added: “Much like Death in Paradise, you’ll be hooked by the fun of the armchair investigation as much as you are by its heart.”
The Last Bus airs on BBC Two at 11pm on 12 June. It is also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.
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