queenadreena

All I can remember of this film was that it was set somewhere up north, and the guy was a tramp, and possibly a little mentally ill. Once scene was him walking past those huge yellow gas tank things, by a canal. He set up in a hostel or some place with wooden floorboards, and he kept writing in a little diary, that he would hide under the floorboards, or behind the wardrobe.
One scene lasted a while, and it was just him taking a bath. The settings were very gloomy and dull, and there was hardly any narrative speech, or interaction in it until later on.
I remember two old men in the same place, playing chess in the communal living room. I'm not sure if this was supposed to be the man grown older. Looks to be made in early 2000, or late 90's perhaps. Although I think it may have been set in the 70's?
I'm sure this film was something entitled 'the life of.....' Or something similar, but I can't remember for the life of me. It's just something I would like to see again, it had an odd calming effect.
Any help is much appreciated.

Hugo

Could it be David Cronenberg's Spider, made in 2002 with Ralph Fiennes as the mentally ill character ?

Pipski

Its set in London, rather than up north, but I agree that it sounds a lot like Spider. In which Ralph Fiennes plays the only paranoid schizophrenic, institutionalised for decades, that you'll ever see with immaculate hair.

melade

The description reminded me a little of Walter starring Ian McKellen.

Euryale

Could it be The Grass Arena (1991), based on the autobiography of John Healy?

E.

Euryale

More here:

John Healy - Chess Champion & author of The Grass Arena Autobiography

John was an alcoholic vagrant, but later took up chess and became a writer.

E.

queenadreena

Brilliant! It was Spider. Thanks very much. I'd pretty much given up on finding out what this film was. Thank you very much guys, you've made my day.