Comedy,Drama
United Kingdom
Dean Spanley is a British drama film released in 2008, directed by Toa Fraser and based on a classic novella by Lord Dunsany. The movie is set in Edwardian England and revolves around the relationship between Fisk Senior, a curmudgeonly old man played by Peter O'Toole, and his son Henslowe, portrayed by Jeremy Northam. The two have a distant relationship, and Henslowe struggles to understand his father's coldness towards him.
One day, Henslowe accompanies his father to a lecture on the transmigration of souls by Dean Spanley, an eccentric and mysterious figure played by Sam Neill. During the lecture, Dean Spanley reveals that he has experienced past lives as a dog and that consuming a rare wine called Imperial Tokay can bring back memories of one's past lives. Intrigued, Fisk Senior invites Dean Spanley to his home to taste the wine.
As they drink the wine, Fisk Senior and Dean Spanley begin to reminisce about their past lives and develop a deep bond. The wine also has a transformative effect on Fisk Senior, allowing him to open up emotionally and reconcile with his son. However, when Henslowe discovers that the Imperial Tokay is made from the tears of a dog, he becomes horrified and confronts Dean Spanley about his past lives.
Dean Spanley confesses that he was once a dog owned by Fisk Senior in a past life and that their current relationship has been predetermined by fate. The revelation brings the three characters closer together and leads to a heartwarming and bittersweet conclusion.
Overall, Dean Spanley is a unique and charming movie that explores themes of family, fate, and the transformative power of memory. The film received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and cinematography and is considered a hidden gem of British cinema.
