It's often difficult when people don’t know each other well, which can create unnecessary troubles—problems that could easily be avoided if folks just tried to understand one another. This seems to be the core issue in what’s being called Ken Loach’s final film, where he portrays a group of Syrian refugees who move to and try to establish themselves in a struggling former coal mining town up north in England. The people already living there, who are having their own hard times, aren't particularly open to the newcomers, who have lost almost everything and just want an opportunity to rebuild their lives. Surprisingly, these two groups share quite a bit, but their lack of understanding of each other causes tension, especially from those long-time residents who feel like they’re being pushed aside. However, things aren't entirely bleak because of the owner (Dave Turner) of The Old Oak, the town’s main pub. He develops a friendship with one of the refugees, a young woman and aspiring photographer (Ebla Mari), who gradually becomes part of his life and the lives of other locals. Their bond isn't easy, but the sense of togetherness that grows from it helps connect people who otherwise wouldn’t have connected. The filmmaking style and story ideas are very much in line with Loach’s previous work—familiar to anyone acquainted with his career spanning almost six decades—and it feels like a fitting conclusion for this insightful filmmaker. Certain parts of the plot do feel somewhat foreseeable, and the ending seems rushed and incomplete, leaving some storylines unresolved. Despite that, the director delivers a final message similar to those found in his other important films about the difficulties faced by vulnerable people, the importance of assisting them, and the need to promote fairness in everyone’s lives. It's hard to imagine a better way for someone like Loach to make his exit.

Source on TMDB