How About You is an Irish film directed by Anthony Byrne. The film is based on a short story sometimes published as “How About You” and sometimes published as “The Hard Core” in a collection of short stories titled “This Year It Will Be Different” by Maeve Binchy.
How About You tells the story of a young woman named Ellie who is left in charge of the residential home run by her older sister, during Christmas period. Most of the residents have gone with their families during the holidays, but four residents, known as the hardcore, remain. Their behavior will cause lots of trouble and will lead to the residence facing closure.
This small, noisy movie, directed by Anthony Byrne and adapted by Jean Pasley, changes its tune come Christmas time. The home’s proprietress (Orla Brady) turns the place and its four terrors – Redgrave, the Falstaffian Joss Ackland, and, as a curly-haired sister act, Brenda Fricker and Imelda Staunton – over to her unserious little sibling (Hayley Atwell). The oldsters run her ragged for a few scenes, but eventually the young woman gives them the business right back. The harrumphing ceases. The healing begins. It’s all terribly sentimental without being truly terrible.
Read the Full Production Notes
How About You
Starring: Hayley Atwell, Joss Ackland, Brenda Fricker, Orla Brady, Vanessa Redgrave, Imelda Staunton
Directed by: Anthony Byrne
Screenplay by: Jean Pasley, Maeve Binchy
Release Date: January 9, 2009
MPAA Rating: None.
Studio: Strand Releasing
Box Office Totals
Domestic: $77.588 (100.0%)
Foreign: —
Total: $77.588 (Worldwide)