The effervescent lead performances of Brian Cox and Coco Konig save movie The Carer

REVIEW: You have seen this film many times before but The Carer actually turns out to be better than most iterations of this hoary old set-up.

The Carer (MA15+)

Director: János Edelényi (Prima Primavera)

Starring: Brian Cox, Coco Konig, Anna Chancellor, Emilia Fox, Karl Johnson.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Familiar condition benefits from refreshing treatment

You have seen this film before. More than likely on multiple occasions.

So if the following premise doesn’t ring any familiar bells, feel free to add another star for originality to the star-rating listed above.

There is a crusty old curmudgeon. He might be on his last legs. Until he gets a new lease of life. From a bright young thing. She’s been employed to be his around-the-clock companion and/or nurse. He doesn’t like her at first. But then, wouldn’t just know it? He can’t bring himself to sack her. She can’t bear to walk away.

Brian Cox and newcomer Coco Konig give effervescent lead performances. Picture: Supplied

Stifling a yawn, already? Not so fast: The Carer actually turns out to be better than most iterations of this hoary old set-up.

It is all because there is some lasting fizz to the two effervescent lead performances on display here.

Veteran British actor Brian Cox is a great fit for the role of Sir Michael Gifford, a legend of the London stage who is whiling away his twilight years ill of health, and cantankerous of mood.

Cox chews up much of the scenery and most of the support cast in bringing Sir Michael to full and vivid life. It is very corny work in so many different ways, but the gusto with which Cox keeps hamming it up invariably keeps you on-side.

Brian Cox won an Emmy in 2001 for his role in 2000 miniseries Nuremberg. Picture: Supplied

Complementing the broad blowhard-ery of Cox’s work are the neat touches offered by adorable Hungarian newcomer Coco Konig, playing Dorottya, Gifford’s inexperienced, yet knowing offsider.

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Originally published as The effervescent lead performances of Brian Cox and Coco Konig save movie The Carer