Polly Findlay makes her feature film debut with 'Midwinter Break'
Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds star as an elderly Northern Irish couple facing a marital crisis
The film explores how couples know each other too well and not well enough after decades together
The Amsterdam setting serves as a catalyst for the couple's introspection
📖 Full Retelling
British stage director Polly Findlay makes her feature film debut with 'Midwinter Break,' starring Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds as an elderly Northern Irish couple whose marriage faces a crisis during an Amsterdam getaway, as reviewed by Owen Gleiberman on February 24, 2026. The film presents a touching exploration of long-term relationships, centering on Stella and Gerry, a pair in their early seventies who have settled into a comfortable but potentially stagnant routine. Despite their familiarity with each other, the couple discovers during their trip that they know each other both too well and not well enough, revealing the complexities of decades-long marriages. Findlay, known for her acclaimed work in British theater, approaches the material with a 'stately and fastidious' style, creating what reviewer Gleiberman describes as a 'prestige-teleplay-of-the-week' aesthetic. The director generously spaces the film to showcase the exceptional talents of her leads, who transform what could have been a 'rather staid movie' into a 'meticulous duet.' Adapting Bernard MacLaverty's 2017 novel for the screen with co-writer Nick Payne, Findlay preserves the intimate, character-focused narrative that made the source material compelling, offering a thoughtful examination of how couples maintain connection as they age.
Bernard MacLaverty (born 14 September 1942) is a Northern Irish fiction writer and novelist. His novels include Cal and Grace Notes. He has written five books of short stories.
Lesley Ann Manville (born 12 March 1956) is a British actress. Known for her performances on stage and screen, she has received various accolades, including two Laurence Olivier Awards and nominations for an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, five British Academy Television Awards, a Go...
Polly Findlay is an Olivier Award winning British theatre and film director. She has directed eight productions for the National Theatre, and four for the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she is an associate artist. She has also directed numerous productions at the Donmar, the Bridge, and the Almeid...
Amsterdam (Dutch: [ˌɑmstərˈdɑm] ; lit. 'Dam in the Amstel') is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands. It has a population of 933,680 in June 2024 within the city proper, 1,457,018 in the urban area and 2,480,394 in the metropolitan area. Located in the Dutch province of North Holland, Amst...
Midwinter Break is a 2026 drama film directed by Polly Findlay. The film is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Bernard MacLaverty and follows a couple's trip to Amsterdam that stirs up memories of the past. The film stars Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds.
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Feb 24, 2026 4:24pm PT ‘Midwinter Break’ Review: Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds in a Touching Wee Drama of Late-in-Life Marital Crisis During an Amsterdam getaway, a homespun Northern Irish couple discover that they know each other too well...and not well enough. By Owen Gleiberman Plus Icon Owen Gleiberman Chief Film Critic @OwenGleiberman Latest Remembering Tom Noonan, Whose Performance in ‘Manhunter’ Is the Greatest Portrayal of a Psycho Killer in Movie History 3 days ago ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Review: Now That He’s a Christian Rock Star, Bart Millard Has More Problems Than Ever. But Is He Only Imagining Them? 5 days ago ‘How to Make a Killing’ Review: Glen Powell Carries You Through a Screw-Loose Thriller of Money and Murder 6 days ago See All Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds are such terrific actors that a lot of us would follow them anywhere. But in the wee drama “ Midwinter Break ,” these two pour their skills into playing a couple of fuddy-duddies — a homepsun Northern Irish married couple, Stella and Gerry, who have reached their early seventies and are so set in their dainty, placid ways that they’ve become like two old pieces of cozy matching furniture. They sit, they read, they have a drink, they have a meal, they exchange comforting pleasantries…and then another day is behind them. And another, much the same, lies ahead. Related Stories Banijay Rights Boards BBC Docuseries ‘The Clickbait Clinic With Stacey Dooley’
