Pipski

Can anyone help with this? It's been driving me batty for a while. In style I recall it being somewhat reminiscent of an early Mike Leigh film - if a bit more earnest and less cynical.

From what I remember, two couples take a holiday on the Norfolk Broads (or similar), on a canal boat. During the course of the holiday, tensions surface, they all argue, one couple leaves and goes to stay in a hotel or something instead. The remaining couple continue upriver and sort-of rediscover themselves in the wilds, ending up closer and more united. It must have been 15-16 years ago now, but that's what it seemed like to me. I think that the couple who stay on the boat to the end are initially the repressed, uptight couple, while the two who end up leaving are the sort-of permissive, sexually liberated ones. By the end this might be reversed though?

Dunno, it's been a long time. Anyone have a CLUE what I'm on about? Think canals. Eighties films with canal holidays. All suggestions appreciated.

BristolUK

Way Upstream?

Pipski

It ... must be! In fact, reading the reviews, they fill in bits I'd forgotten about. Plus, the whole thing did have an Ayckbourn feel to it. Thanks! Thanks a lot.

BristolUK

I recognised it instantly. I knew it was Ayckbourn, I just didn't recall the title.

That's the first time I've been first with the answer.

Bates

One of Mike Leighs earlist films was called 'Nut in May' starring Alison Steadman.
It features a hiking couple who camp out at a site and gradually start arguing.
It does sound similar to your description as I'm sure there is a canal ride in it.

suzepulcheria

Is that the Ayckbourn that was staged in a huge pool of water when first produced in the theatre? If so I saw it on stage, and read that at one performance there was a leak!

"I've come a long way you know!" "Equally long way to go back..."

BristolUK

I don't know. I just recall that Ayckbourn plays seemed to be an integral part of xmas once upon a time.

Pipski

That's the one. A kind of fake river going down the middle of the stage, I believe.

No. Nuts In May is one of my favourite films, it's definitely not that. (There isn't a canal ride in it btw, it's set in Dorset. Think you must be conflating it with something else.)