I generally think any movie starring Timothy Spall is worth checking out. Mrs. Lowry and Son falls into the category of deliberately paced films that require patience and allow themselves to unfold gradually. The characters aren't always easy to like, and they might disappoint you in minor ways, just as they disappoint one another, but I still found myself hoping things would work out for them. The film portrays L.S. Lowry as a complicated person, seemingly so in his life as well. It was nice seeing him interact playfully with the neighborhood kids and express himself poetically when talking about the scenes and places he painted. However, there's also the side of him that’s a rent collector going around town, and a shy man trying unsuccessfully to impress his mother and earn her affection. I have no reason to believe this depiction is inaccurate; in fact, I later read that he turned down several awards later in life, including the royal OBE, because he felt it wouldn't mean anything with his mother gone. His artwork isn’t particularly impressive to me, but I’ll leave judgments about art to those who are more knowledgeable. His artistic vision came from the difficult lives of working-class people during the Industrial Revolution and in places like Salford, a setting for the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. The show was realistic for many years until it started changing due to competition from other shows like East Enders and Emmerdale. Nevertheless, given that background of hardship, it felt meaningful to see the artist walking through beautiful fields and trees, reaching the crest of a hill, and then painting a group of low-lying factories. He was certainly an unusual artist. Something else about Spall’s acting struck me; it reminded me of his performances in Mike Leigh films like Secrets and Lies, where he maintains a controlled, quiet presence throughout, only to deliver a very emotional scene near the film's conclusion. It’s worth seeing, but not if you’re looking for something fast-paced. It was interesting to discover that one of my favorite songs ever, Status Quo’s Pictures of Matchstick Men, was inspired by Lowry. I really should watch this movie again.

Source on TMDB