Writer/Director Lee A Knight
Stars: Alistair Nwachukwu, Miriam Margolyes, Oscar Lloyd, Stephen Fry
Lonely elderly widow Dorothy’s quiet life changes when teenager JJ accidentally kicks his football into her garden. What starts as a classic neighbourhood encounter blossoms into a touching friendship.
Lee Knight’s directorial debut is less like a scripted short and more like a tribute to a real-life bond. While the film arrives with the glitz of an Oscar-qualifying win at HollyShorts, a Raindance world premiere, and, an Oscar nomination, its real strength lies in the source. Inspired by the real-life friendship between Knight, his husband, and their late neighbour Shirley Woodham, the film bypasses the usual clichés of “surprising friendships”. The result is a film that is delightfully profound, heartwarming and authentic.
The Catalyst of Connection
The story begins with that oh-so-classic neighbourhood trope: a football landing in the wrong garden, something every teenager has experienced. When 17-year-old JJ (a charming performance from Alistair Nwachukwu) goes to retrieve it from Dorothy ( Miriam Margolyes), the film shifts from a simple encounter into a shelter for the arts.
Dorothy is a lonely widow whose: her body might be failing, but her mind is a sharp library of theatrical history. Like the actor, Dorothy has a dry wit to boot. Her son lives abroad, and the only family member showing any interest is her grandson, Scott. JJ is, in some ways, a typical yet well-mannered teenager; they’re generations apart, yet as the story unfolds, a touching bond forms.
The UK’s national treasure, Margolyes, brings a quiet devastation and wit to Dorothy. Her cutting humour and fondness for colour metaphors bring joy to what at times is Dorothy’s solemn life. Margolyes’ performance is a reminder of her skills as a character actor. Trending reels of her colourful chat appearances diminish the work of Margolyes the character actor. Seeing her back on the back screen woth a heartfelt performance is a true delight. Nwachukwu (best known for Shadow and Bone) delivers a subtle, star-making performance. He gives his all as a young man finding his voice—and his queer identity—through the plays Dorothy shares with him.
Lee Knight shows this connection as less of a paternal relationship and more of a true friendship. We’re presented with a meeting almost of equals as Dorothy and JJ, find commonality in their need to be seen and accepted. It’s this moment, more than any, that is sure to make the tear ducts swell.
A Shelter in Kensington & Chelsea
Knight’s background as an actor is apparent in his direction; he allows the actors room to breathe within the intimate, sun-drenched frames of Dorothy’s home. The house itself becomes a character, a living archive of a life well-spent that no one, except JJ, cares about anymore.
The supporting cast adds further “National Treasure” gravitas. Sir Stephen Fry bookends the film with a sensible charm as Dorothy’s attorney, Dickie. Oscar Lloyd plays the self-serving grandson with a “love-to-hate” energy, highlighting the tragic neglect many older people face.
Beyond a Movie: The AgeUK Partnership
For Lee Knight, this is more than a powerful debut but an homage to a warm and touching friendship with a mission. Supported by AgeUK, the film serves as a clear reminder of the invisible isolation facing millions of elderly people. This is more than just highlighting a too-often common occurrence. It’s a mission toensure the conversation about intergenerational kindness and friendship continues well beyond the credits roll.
Conclusion: A Quiet Masterpiece
A Friend of Dorothy is an example of British filmmaking at its best and proof that small stories can make the biggest impact. Supported with moving performances, it is a humanistic celebration of life’s small kindnesses and a signal not to write off the elderly. Quite simply, it’s a charming, feel-good story that will hit your emotional switch from laughter to tears (of sadness and joy) – have you tissues and handkerchiefs at the ready. Whether or not it takes home the Oscar for Best Live Action Short, Lee Knight has created something essential: a warm and touching film with a message for us all to “really see” the people living right next door.
oin the Conversation
What did you think of A Friend of Dorothy? Were you impressed with Lee Knights debut as a director? Did the film resonate in any way and pull on your heart strings? With the awards race heating up do you think A friend of Dorothy could be victorious at the Oscars in the best live action short category?
I’d love to hear your predictions! Let me know in the comments below. You can also head over to the Cine Bijou on Bluesky, Threads, and Instagram to share your thoughts with our growing community of cinephiles.