Much Ado About Dying

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Much Ado About Dying

2024

1h 24m

Documentary

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93%

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15 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Simon finds his life drastically interrupted when he is called back to London from India to care for his retired bohemian gay actor Uncle David. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong. David's anarchic spirit is unbreakable. He fights with Simon, refusing to go into a care home, insisting on dying in the squalor of his unheated tumble-down house. He can't remember where he put his false teeth but he still knows nearly all the lines from his beloved Shakespeare plays. David's real life starts to echo "King Lear", the play about an old man going mad and giving his kingdom away, as David starts giving away thousands of pounds to a hot sexy "helper". How do we deal with and care for our relatives who are living longer than ever? How does Simon help David to have a good death?

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

The atmosphere of fug, filth and peril is suffocating. But Chambers selects the footage cunningly to always allow whispers of charm to filter through the stubbornness.

Rated: 4/5

May 10, 2024

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

I can think of few documentaries that are more honest, self-scrutinising and revelatory about ageing, familial love and its limits, and the whole tragicomic process of dying.

Rated: 4/5

May 2, 2024

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Vikram Murthi

IndieWire

While Much Ado About Dying strives to be a tribute to caretakers and Chambers’ dearly departed uncle, its baggy structure, dictated by David’s declining health, renders the film frustratingly inert.

Rated: C+

Mar 15, 2024

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

For all the film's messiness, it still knocks you back with its stark depiction of life, and eventually death.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 4, 2025

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David-Elijah Nahmod

Bay Area Reporter

Besides provoking discussion, "Much Ado About Dying" introduces viewers to one of the most colorful and unforgettable characters they will ever encounter. Even as he lay dying, David lived his life on his own terms.

Jan 7, 2025

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Carmen Paddock

MovieJawn

While a clearly personal story for Chambers, the director and narrator is an unobtrusive presence, preferring to let David sing his songs, recite his verse, and share his story and feelings without commentary or filter.

Dec 5, 2024

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Lora M

It gives a realistic view of a caregiver and the choices that Simon had to make that are not always black and white. How frustrating it can be as a caregiver and allowing a person to live their life. David is being cared for by Simon. Questions about when do we step in without taking over someone’s rights as a person. I could totally relate to so much of what Simon was going through. David was an interesting character. Laughter, Love and Life. Give it a watch👍🏼

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/25

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dick d

Watched this in 2022 when it first came out and with the filmmaker in attendance taking questions. Very engrossing from start to finish, really excellent.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/24

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Simon Chambers

Director

David Rane

Producer

Simon Chambers

Cinematographer

Claire Ferguson

Film Editor

Irene Buckley

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Simon finds his life drastically interrupted when he is called back to London from India to care for his retired bohemian gay actor Uncle David. Everything that could go wrong does go wrong. David's anarchic spirit is unbreakable. He fights with Simon, refusing to go into a care home, insisting on dying in the squalor of his unheated tumble-down house. He can't remember where he put his false teeth but he still knows nearly all the lines from his beloved Shakespeare plays. David's real life starts to echo "King Lear", the play about an old man going mad and giving his kingdom away, as David starts giving away thousands of pounds to a hot sexy "helper". How do we deal with and care for our relatives who are living longer than ever? How does Simon help David to have a good death?

Director: Simon Chambers
Producer: David Rane
Distributor: Cosmic Cat
Production Co: Soilsiú Films, Soilsu Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 24m

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