Movie review: ‘Forget Me Not’

“Forget Me Not” is contemporary love story with a heart-wrenching twist that recalls vintage tearjerkers, yet its appealing stars, Tobias Menzies and Genevieve O’Reilly, make watching it a surprisingly affecting experience. The film is helped immeasurably by its London setting and a moody score.

Directed by Alexander Holt and Lance Roehrig with an adroit blend of cinematic poetic flourish, sure pacing and British understatement, there’s a pleasing echo of “Brief Encounter” in this film’s chance meeting. Menzies’ troubled singer-guitarist Will comes to the rescue of a lovely barmaid, Eve (O’Reilly), who’s being accosted by a drunk, and soon the two are strolling along the Thames, attending the engagement party of one of Eve’s friends, staying up all night chatting.

In the morning Will accompanies Eve on a visit to her grandmother (a superb Gemma Jones), who is being tested for Alzheimer’s’ disease. Will and Eve’s mutual attraction is undeniable, but Will’s emotional struggles loom.

That “Forget Me Not” plays out as effectively as it does is a credit to the filmmakers, particularly the talented leads.

“Forget Me Not.” No MPAA rating. Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes. At the Culver Plaza Theatre, Culver City.