GOODBYE JUNE (NETFLIX) (2025)

SYNOPSIS: The film takes place just before Christmas, when an unexpected turn in their mother’s health thrusts four adult siblings and their exasperating father into chaos as they navigate messy family dynamics in the face of potential loss. But their quick-witted mother, June, orchestrates her decline on her own terms — with biting humour, blunt honesty, and a lot of love.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Finally, there’s a celebrity offspring who isn’t known for parading down red carpets in a designer gown or a fanciful tuxedo. Joe Anders, son of Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes, makes his debut as a screenwriter, while his Oscar-winning mother makes her directing debut in Goodbye June.

Unlike other festive Christmas-themed comedies, Goodbye June is an intimate drama about death, sibling rivalry, and family love. If you’re not ready for a tear-inducing experience, we strongly advise you to stay away.

With the family matriarch June (Helen Mirren) dying of cancer in hospital, her children — Julia (Winslet), Molly (Andrea Riseborough), Connor (Johnny Flynn), and Helen (Toni Collette) along with her husband Bernie (Timothy Spall), gather for what appears to be her last Christmas.

Like every family out there, not everyone gets along. Julia and Molly can’t seem to see eye to eye. Helen is a free-spirited hippie who can barely take care of herself. Connor, the long-time caregiver, is on the verge of a breakdown. Dad, on the other hand, seems more concerned with his Heinekens.

Goodbye June is a drama not just about death, but about the living. Even on her deathbed, June remains worried about her squabbling children and Helen’s unborn child. The youngest child, Connor, is not only grieving but also helplessly appalled by the behaviour of his siblings and father. Anders has crafted a drama filled with believable family conflicts and dynamics. Tear-jerking and occasionally fluffy, yes but every moment is beautifully staged and filmed. This leads to Winslet’s confident direction, delivering more than a decent masterpiece on a modest budget.

The cast is phenomenal. Mirren is as sassy as ever, even while playing a dying character, bringing grace and humour in equal measure. Riseborough and Flynn each have their own tender, emotional moments, and even Spall gets a chance to belt out a touching Ray Charles tune for June. Relatively unknown British actor Fisayo Akinade is a welcome surprise as a loving nurse aptly named Angel. The strength of the cast allows Goodbye June to shine as a genuine, messy drama about family.

Many will dismiss Winslet’s effort as a simple weepie. At the very least, it’s not a nonsensical Christmas-themed comedy playing in the background while we tuck into turkey and log cakes. Goodbye June deserves every minute of our attention — a rousing effort from Anders and his mum, Winslet, and a heartfelt reminder about love, death, and everything in between.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee