Review: 'Midwinter Break' shows a marriage that's too accommodating of an unspoken strain

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We used to have more films like “Midwinter Break,” in which the combination of a couple of great actors, a gifted writer and the unfussy shepherding of a thorny, intimate scenario gave discerning moviegoers their recommended weekly allowance of adult drama about the human condition.That’s no longer the case, so you would be forgiven for attaching more importance to the small-scale appeal of this adaptation of Irish author Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel.Without gimmicks or pomp (save a picturesque setting) and through the supreme talents of Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds, it offers up an affecting two-hander about a couple on the brink who’ve never really acknowledged said precipice.

As directed with low-key confidence by Polly Findlay, the movie is both good and, in a certain way, good enough.Should a marriage be merely good enough? Because hiding in the 40-year togetherness of retired teacher Stella (Manville) and ex-architect Gerry (Hinds) is an unmistakable chasm.It’s a divide with roots in the turbulent Belfast of their youth, which necessitated starting their family in Glasgow.

It manifests now in a brittleness that tints their everyday exchanges as ossifying empty nesters.Awards ‘There are quite a lot of interesting women out there to play.

Surprise, surprise!’ the actor says of finding her work schedule abundantly full.Stella’s restless energy in wanting to fix things spurs her to arrange an impromptu trip for them to Amsterdam.Initially they rekindle a genial intimacy over art, meals and the city’s beauty.

She eases off her intolerance for his drinking by tagging along to bars, while he accompanies his faith-driven wife to the Begijnhof, a historical religious site of dwellings initially intended to house a sisterhood of single Catholic women.We gather her keen interest isn’t entirely touristy but also, because Hinds is so good, that his wise...