Deeply moving 45 minute precursor to Bennett's "Talking Heads" monologues, this monologue tells the story of a somewhat fussy, gossipy, but somehow also endearing middle-aged spinster, and her being beset by an illness.
At first the piece feels rather light-weight. But as we watch Patricia Routledge in an amazing performance we are taken deeper and deeper into the darkness by a woman who does everything in her power to refuse to acknowledge it.
Funny, simple, wise and terribly sad, this was also daring for TV in it's making a whole show of a woman talking to the camera.
Between Bennett's wonderful ear for dialogue, and ability to be empathetic without being sappy, Routledge wonderful work and director Giles Foster modulating the short film with a sensitive and delicate hand, they create a piece far more impactful and memorable that most films double or more the running length.