The Levelling Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A vet student goes back to her family’s flooded, miserable farm after her brother dies, mostly just to argue with her terrible dad and walk through a lot of mud.

🍿 The Levelling: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Returning Home After Tragedy

Following the sudden death of her younger brother, Harry, trainee veterinarian Clover Catto is called back to the family farm in rural Somerset. This marks her return after a long absence, forcing her to confront the life she left behind and her estranged father, Aubrey. Upon arrival, Clover finds the farm in a state of significant disrepair. The devastating floods from six months prior have left their mark, physically damaging the property and seemingly taking a heavy toll on her father, who appears a shadow of his former self.

Facing a Troubled Father and a Damaged Farm

Clover’s relationship with her father is immediately strained. The years of silence and unresolved issues hang heavy between them as they navigate the difficult circumstances. The practical challenges of the ravaged farm become apparent as Clover helps her father manage the remaining livestock and damaged property. The physical decay mirrors the emotional and financial state of the family.

Seeking Answers About Her Brother’s Death

Initially told Harry’s death was an accident, Clover begins to suspect there is more to the story. She starts investigating what happened, questioning those who were present and looking for clues around the farm. Her search for the truth leads her to uncover not only details about Harry’s final moments but also long-buried family secrets. This investigation puts further pressure on her already fragile relationship with her father.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Clover (Ellie Kendrick): A trainee veterinarian who returns to her family’s struggling farm following her brother’s suicide to confront her past and her father.
• Aubrey (David Troughton): Clover’s grieving father, a farmer devastated by floods and the death of his son, struggling to maintain the farm and his relationship with his daughter.
• Harry (Joe Blakemore): Clover’s younger brother whose apparent suicide is the catalyst for her return home and the unraveling of family secrets.
• James (Jack Holden): Harry’s friend who offers Clover insights into her brother’s life and contributes to her understanding of the events leading to his death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Clover / Aubrey: “How is the river? / Wet.” – A brief, terse exchange between Clover and her father upon her arrival, highlighting the grim reality of the flood aftermath and their strained communication.
• Aubrey: “despite it all I still have to get up and milk the cows in the morning.” – Aubrey reflects on the unyielding demands of farming life, contrasting the practical necessities with the weight of personal tragedy.
• Clover: “I need to know what happened.” – Clover insists on uncovering the truth about her brother’s death, directly confronting her father’s evasiveness.
• Clover: “Daddy.” – Spoken by Clover in a moment of emotional vulnerability near the film’s end, signaling a shift in her relationship with her father.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £1,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,040
• Worldwide Gross: $118,451

💥 The Levelling Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie hit hard. I wasn’t expecting such an intense, quiet drama. It really just dropped me right into the middle of this family’s absolute mess. I felt so much tension watching Clover interact with her dad. Their relationship felt incredibly real and strained, full of years of unspoken stuff. Ellie Kendrick was amazing; you could just feel her frustration and pain. The farm itself felt like a character too, all muddy and broken after the floods. It mirrored the family’s state perfectly. It made me feel pretty melancholy, but also gripped by their slow journey towards understanding. It’s definitely not a feel-good movie, but if you appreciate raw, character-driven stories that don’t shy away from the tough stuff, I think you’ll find this really powerful. It stayed with me long after the credits.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Those who appreciate atmospheric and realistic portrayals of rural life”
  • “Audiences looking for films about grief and family relationships”
  • “Fans of British cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of suicide and its aftermath”
  • “Themes of grief and loss”
  • “Animal death/slaughter is depicted or implied”
  • “Difficult and confrontational family dynamics”
  • “Bleak and potentially depressing subject matter”

Professional Reviews

• The Guardian: “Hope Dickson Leach’s debut is a starkly beautiful and emotionally raw portrayal of grief set against the ravaged Somerset Levels. Ellie Kendrick delivers a commanding performance as the returning daughter, clashing powerfully with David Troughton’s broken patriarch. It’s a difficult, unflinching watch, but undeniably atmospheric and deeply felt.
• Empire Magazine: “While undeniably bleak, ‘The Levelling’ finds authentic drama in the aftermath of tragedy and environmental disaster. The central performances are strong, anchoring a narrative that can feel a touch slow, mirroring the stagnant floodwaters. It’s a moody, patient character study, perhaps too dour for some, but offers genuine emotional payoff.
• Sight & Sound: “A visually striking, if relentlessly grim, depiction of rural hardship and familial breakdown. The film excels in creating atmosphere and showcasing committed performances, particularly from Kendrick. However, the narrative sometimes feels thin, relying heavily on unspoken conflict and leaving certain motivations frustratingly obscure. A challenging but notable debut.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were deeply affected by the raw emotion and realistic portrayal of grief and family conflict.: Many praised the powerful performances of the two leads and the film’s atmospheric setting, appreciating its unflinching look at rural struggles and the impact of tragedy.

Overall Consensus: A well-acted, atmospheric, and emotionally heavy British drama praised for its realism and lead performances, though some found its bleakness and slow pace challenging.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is the debut feature for writer-director Hope Dickson Leach.”
• “Filming took place in Somerset, England, utilizing the landscape affected by the 2014 floods, which provides a significant backdrop to the story.”
• “Despite its modest budget of approximately £1 million, the film garnered critical acclaim.”
• “Film critic Mark Kermode named ‘The Levelling’ his favorite British film of 2017.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Levelling?

As an independent British drama released in 2017, ‘The Levelling’ may not be readily available on major subscription streaming services. It is typically available for rent or purchase through digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Vudu. Check these platforms for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Levelling, you might like these similar films:

• God’s Own Country (2017): Another acclaimed British drama set in a rural farming environment, focusing on challenging family dynamics, isolation, and understated emotional journeys.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): Explores similar themes of grief, returning to a difficult home environment after a family tragedy, uncovering secrets, and navigating fractured relationships with a somber, atmospheric tone.
• 45 Years (2015): A character-driven British drama from the same era that quietly explores how buried secrets and past events can resurface to strain relationships and force reckoning.
• The Rider (2017): An atmospheric and naturalistic drama focusing on a character grappling with the aftermath of a life-altering event in a specific, challenging rural environment.
• Morvern Callar (2002): A British cult film that deals with the aftermath of a suicide in a quiet, character-focused way, exploring themes of escape, grief, and secrets through a protagonist’s disoriented journey.

🛒 The Levelling Related Products

• The Levelling (Blu-ray/DVD): Own the critically acclaimed British drama that Mark Kermode called his favourite British film of the year. Features stunning cinematography capturing the desolate beauty of the Somerset Levels.
• The Shepherd’s Life: A Tale of the Lake District by James Rebanks: An acclaimed, authentic account of modern shepherding and farming life in the UK. Offers a deep, real-world perspective on the rural struggles and realities touched upon in ‘The Levelling’.
• British Independent Film Collection (Digital Bundle): A curated collection featuring poignant and atmospheric British independent dramas with themes of family, place, and resilience, similar in tone and style to ‘The Levelling’.
• Photography Book: The Somerset Levels Landscape: Explore the unique and often dramatic landscapes of the Somerset Levels, the region that forms the powerful backdrop for ‘The Levelling’. Features evocative photography capturing the beauty and vulnerability of the area.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Levelling features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “13 Angels Standing Guard ‘Round The Side of Your Bed” – performed by Thee Silver Mt Zion

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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