★★★☆☆
There is something undeniably appealing about Glenrothan. Set against the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland, it centres around family, regret, forgiveness, and identity. Directed by Brian Cox in his feature directorial debut and starring Cox alongside Alan Cumming and Shirley Henderson, the film has all the ingredients for an emotional crowd-pleaser.
The story follows Donal (Alan Cumming), who left Scotland forty years earlier after the death of his mother and a strained relationship with his father. Building a life for himself in Chicago, he established a blues club called Donal’s Dive and seemingly left his old life behind.
Back in Scotland, his brother Sandy (Brian Cox) remained, sacrificing his own dreams to look after the family whisky distillery and, ultimately, their father.
When Donal’s club burns down, he returns to Scotland with his daughter (Alexandra Shipp) and granddaughter (Joanne Thomson), reopening old wounds and forcing both brothers to confront a lifetime of unresolved feelings.
Glenrothan is a story about family and the roads not taken. Sandy wanted to leave but felt duty-bound to stay. Donal escaped but spent decades carrying the emotional baggage of that decision. It is a strong foundation for a drama, and the film spends considerable time exploring the contrast between the two brothers and the lives they chose.
One of the film’s most memorable recurring elements is the song One Meatball, performed by Donal and his daughter. I found myself wondering whether the song acts as a metaphor for Donal’s life, a man who achieved some of what he wanted but never quite found fulfilment. As the lyrics suggest, he got the meatball, but perhaps missed out on everything that should have come with it.
Brian Cox delivers a heartfelt performance as Sandy. There is a vulnerability beneath the character’s quiet strength that makes him immediately sympathetic. Sandy feels trapped by circumstance, yet never bitter. Even as illness begins to take its toll, he remains compassionate and generous, making him arguably the film’s emotional centre.
Alan Cumming is, as always, a compelling screen presence. Whether acting or singing, he brings charisma and confidence to every scene he appears in. His musical performances are a pleasant surprise and add another layer to the film’s celebration of Scottish culture and community.
The standout performance comes from Shirley Henderson as Jess, who has clearly spent decades carrying unresolved feelings for Donal after he left without so much as a goodbye. Henderson brings genuine heart, humour, and fire to the role. There is an honesty to her performance that makes every scene she appears in more engaging.
Viewers may initially be distracted by Henderson’s instantly recognisable voice. Many will remember her as Moaning Myrtle from the Harry Potter films, but it doesn’t take long before the performance takes over. By the end, Jess emerges as one of the most memorable characters in the film.
Visually, Glenrothan is stunning. The real star of the film is Scotland itself. Cinematographer Jaime Ackroyd captures the country in all its glory, from misty lochs and rolling valleys to dramatic mountains and endless green landscapes. Every frame feels carefully composed to showcase the beauty of the Highlands, and the result is breathtaking.
It is impossible to watch the film without understanding why Brian Cox is so passionate about his homeland. There are moments when the scenery communicates more emotion than the dialogue itself.
Where Glenrothan struggles is in delivering the emotional payoff its story seems to be building towards. Films about estranged families often lead audiences towards a moment of revelation or reconciliation. Not necessarily a happy ending, but some deeper understanding between the characters. Here, that resolution feels surprisingly elusive.
The film repeatedly hints at larger emotional questions. Did Donal misunderstand his mother’s wishes when she told him to leave? Did his father love him more than he realised? Was Sandy secretly resentful of the sacrifices he made?
While some of these questions are addressed, the answers feel understated to the point of being unsatisfying. There is a brief acknowledgement that their father loved Donal, but it never develops into the emotional breakthrough the story appears to be building towards. As a result, the central conflict remains somewhat unresolved.
Despite being the protagonist, Donal often comes across as surprisingly self-centred. The film asks us to sympathise with his pain and regrets but doesn’t always provide enough insight into his emotional growth.
Product placement involving two new Renault vehicles is hard to miss, and some background performers occasionally draw attention for the wrong reasons. One sequence involving a band arriving for the distillery’s 200th anniversary celebration stood out, with some extras appearing noticeably self-conscious on camera.
Given that this is Brian Cox’s first outing as a feature film director, these are understandable growing pains rather than major flaws. His strengths clearly lie in guiding strong performances and capturing a sense of place, and both are evident throughout the film.
Glenrothan is a film I admired more than I loved. It is beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, and deeply affectionate towards Scotland and its people. The performances from Cox, Cumming, and especially Henderson provide more than enough reason to spend time with these characters. Yet the screenplay never quite unlocks the full emotional potential of its story.
There is a powerful film lurking within Glenrothan, one that reaches for profound truths about family, forgiveness, and belonging. What appears on screen is still worthwhile, but it falls just short of delivering the emotional catharsis it promises.
For those who appreciate character-driven dramas, stunning scenery, and strong performances, there is much to enjoy. I just wish the final destination had been as memorable as the journey getting there.
GLENROTHAN opens on Thursday 25 June at participating cinemas.
Website: https://rialtodistribution.com/film/glenrothan/
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Watch the trailer below:
Film details:
Title: Glenrothan
Director: Brian Cox
Cast: Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Shirley Henderson, Alexandra Shipp
Country of Origin: UK
Duration: 97 mins
Rating: M
