British director John Madden’s “Onwards and Sideways” is a film about two people living with Parkinson’s who form a bond after being diagnosed with the condition. Reviews describe it as a gentle, compassionate drama that still maintains moments of warmth rather than an exclusively bleak tone.
Multiple sources say the story centers on how the characters navigate daily life with Parkinson’s through their relationship with each other. Variety characterizes the film as soft and generally sunny in outlook, while noting that it does not try to fabricate an uncompromised happy ending. The Hollywood Reporter similarly frames the movie as a Parkinson’s dramedy, emphasizing the emotional connection between the leads.
Both outlets credit the performances of Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans as major strengths of the film. The Hollywood Reporter adds that the movie draws from an autobiographical script by Paul Mayhew-Archer and also features Rory Kinnear and Monica Dolan, placing the film within a broader ensemble approach rather than focusing solely on the two leads.
