John Hurt gave his final lead performance in this richly rewarding drama. Hurt plays Ralph, a septuagenarian screenwriter who once courted fame with his talent but now faces a terminal illness. But before succumbing to his ailing health he has two final goals: to be reconciled to his son, Michael, and to ensure his wife Anna is not burdened as he goes "into that good night". Hurt excels in the role, attacking it with gusto and a sense of urgency that was a mark of all his great screen performances throughout his career.