it's beautifully constructed in julian barnes's novel and in the film.alance of the school age, being a schoolboy, and the adult, tony. the school age, the history lessons particularly. i identified with the school. exactly the same age, exactly the same cultural background. al boys school, sixth form, of about fourque or five of us who thought we were smarter than anyone else. fairly unpleasant schoolboy behavior. he hasn't changed much. he's got older but he has a grown-up, hasn't really matured. is still the slightly lost child still thefind -- he's slightly lost child trying to find love and being unpleasant and rude. we don't actually know everything and we're still struggling with life. anthony: one thing i was struck by in watching this film and i'm often struck by in watching british films and tv series is unafraid to go more slowly through a story and to let you feel it more. i don't know if you noticed that as actors in making films? michelle: i certainly do. anthony: he's a very patient man there's a patience with making the film. anthony: doe