Reviewed: Before I Go To Sleep (15)

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Anne-Marie Duff
Director / Screenwriter: Rowan Joffé
Executive Producer: Ridley Scott
Novel: S J Watson

Imagine waking up every morning not knowing who you are or where you are and who the person is sleeping next to you? That’s what has been happening to Christine Lucas for the last thirteen years.

Before I Go To Sleep is based on the UK best-selling debut novel of the same name by new British author S J Watson. The book also made the top seven best-seller list in the US (the last UK novelist in the US top seven was J.K. Rowling). While working for the NHS, Watson won a place on a creative writing course in London where he honed his story development skills. The movie rights was picked up by Ridley Scott’s production company Scott Free London along with Studio Canal and has been adapted by award winning UK screenwriter and director Rowan Joffé. A real dream come true for Watson who also saw his main two characters Christine and her husband Ben come to life by two big Oscar winning actors Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth.

The film follows the books theme of identity, love, loss, trust and paranoia, packaged with a thriller format. We are introduced to Christine (Nicole Kidman) and her condition right from the opening scene. She had suffered a traumatic accident thirteen years earlier which resulted in her waking up each morning and remembering nothing. Her bedroom wall is littered with post-it notes explaining her daily routine and listing all her eating allergies. There are also photographs pinned up showing her wedding day and other personal memories particularly photos labelled ‘I am your husband.’ The husband Ben (Colin Firth) has stood by her and cared for her since the accident and he goes through the same routine with explanations of who she is and more importantly who he is and what has happened to her. In her mind she is still 27 but when she looks in the mirror she sees a 40-year old woman staring back at her.

Christine has to adjust to the realities of who she is every day of her life. And if things weren’t complicated enough she receives a mysterious phone call while Ben is at work from a man claiming to be her Doctor, Dr Nasch (Mark Strong) who has been assigned to her case and that he has been treating her for a number of years. However, the Doctor, patient meetings have been without the knowledge of Ben. To back up his story Nasch directs Christine to a hidden shoe box at the back of her wardrobe which contains a camera with a video diary that she has been adding to every day. (In the book it is a hard copy diary but the video format works really well in the film.)

Then one day some terrifying truths come out and Christine starts to question everyone around her, not knowing who she can trust.

Nicole Kidman is excellent as the damaged Christine and we see everything through her eyes and have the same anxieties as she tries to piece together her life and why she isn’t being told the complete truth. Colin Firth is reliable as ever as his character is trying his hardest to care for his long suffering wife. Mark Strong as the Doctor puts in another great performance and keeps you guessing as to his intentions.

I had actually read the book just over a year ago and it kept you hooked from the start. You will be pleased to know that the film doesn’t disappoint and will suck you in and hold your attention.

On a local interest the film was shot at Twickenham Studios and features locations in South West London plus one very important scene revelation was filmed at Greenwich Park and Observatory.

Four out of five stars

In cinemas from September 5

Certificate 15

Running time 91 mins