John Madden tackles genres like political thrillers like Miss Sloane and period dramas like Shakespeare in Love. His new film Onwards and Sideways is tangentially close to the latter because both films have that romantic aspect. But it takes place during the present day, centring on Tony Evans (Rhys Ifans) and Emma Dretzin (Laura Linney). Both meet in an unexpected place – the hospital after both discover that they have Parkinson’s Disease. They eventually keep running into each other, like when Emma does a presentation in Tony’s elementary school. Separately, they deal with their families who struggle when it comes to handling a relative’s shocking diagnosis. But they find that they can relate to each other better, keeping their jobs despite their disease.
Onwards and Sideways mostly focuses on the personal aspects of people getting the surprising Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. But it also shows the social aspect, depicting doctors (Rory Kinnear) and patients’ relationships outside the hospital. Another funny scene involves Tony having to get a Viagra prescription from a former student – thank NHS. The social aspect is also apparent here as it shows Tony and Emma try to keep their jobs. Tony still teaches, good with his students, and Emma still composes and performs music when she can. Lastly, the movie exposes the side effects of Parkinson’s medication, like sudden gambling addictions or uncontrollable nightmares. That aspect of the movie hits personal, although I’ll tell you all about that when I’m ready.
- Rated: Unrated
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Release Date: 9/13/2026
- Directed by: John Madden
- Starring: Danielle Galligan, Laura Linney, Monica Dolan, Rhys Ifans, Rory Kinnear
- Produced by: Hilary Bevan Jones, John Gore
- Written by: Paul Mayhew-Archer
- Studio: Hilltop Screen, John Gore Studios
