
Is Tomorrow Is Always Too Long Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)
Commissioned by The Common Guild as part of the Commonwealth 2014 celebrations, Phil Collins's film is both a modern day city symphony and a love letter to Glasgow. Through musical numbers, animation and a uniquely Glaswegian cable TV station, the film conjures up a distinctive vision of a city. Collins met people in maternity hospitals, schools, community groups and social clubs for the elderly, asking them to sing songs, make predictions for the future, debate the status of freedom in today’s society, guide us through the city’s most famous prison and dance like there’s no tomorrow. With animation by Matthew Robins, stellar songs from Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon, soundtrack contributions from Mogwai’s Barry Burns, local voodoo ravers Golden Teacher and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Tomorrow Is Always Too Long will take you on a trip deep into the heart of the city and beyond.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of cinema, then Tomorrow Is Always Too Long offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2014 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Tomorrow Is Always Too Long, a standout production of 2014, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Modern Cinema landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Commissioned by The Common Guild as part of the Commonwealth 2014 celebrations, Phil Collins's film is both a modern day city symphony and a love letter to Glasgow. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Modern Cinema are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Commissioned by The Common Guild as part of the Commonwealth 2014 celebrations, Phil Collins's film is both a modern day city symphony and a love letter to Glasgow. Through musical numbers, animation and a uniquely Glaswegian cable TV station, the film conjures up a distinctive vision of a city. Collins met people in maternity hospitals, schools, community groups and social clubs for the elderly, asking them to sing songs, make predictions for the future, debate the status of freedom in today’s society, guide us through the city’s most famous prison and dance like there’s no tomorrow. With animation by Matthew Robins, stellar songs from Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon, soundtrack contributions from Mogwai’s Barry Burns, local voodoo ravers Golden Teacher and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Tomorrow Is Always Too Long will take you on a trip deep into the heart of the city and beyond."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Mick Harden, the performance in Tomorrow Is Always Too Long feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.
The direction by Phil Collins is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 82 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is Tomorrow Is Always Too Long truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Modern Cinema, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, Tomorrow Is Always Too Long explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2014 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Phil Collins respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, Tomorrow Is Always Too Long is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Mick Harden or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Tomorrow Is Always Too Long is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.4 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.