How About You ...

How About You ...

Year: 2008

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Anthony Byrne

DramaComedy

During the Christmas season, a lively woman unexpectedly takes over her sister’s care home. She finds herself facing a unique set of residents, including a retired actress, two elderly sisters, and a former judge, leading to humorous conflicts. As she adapts to her new responsibilities, unexpected connections are forged and a tender romance develops, bringing warmth and laughter to the holidays.

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Timeline – How About You ... (2008)

Trace every key event in How About You ... (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ellie arrives at Woodlane

Ellie Harris travels to the Woodlane residential home to seek employment as a carer. She meets residents and begins to settle into her new role. Her first interactions set the tone for a challenging but hopeful placement.

Day 1 Woodlane Residential Home
2

Ellie befriends Alice and starts neglecting duties

Ellie quickly befriends Alice, one of the residents, and starts spending more time talking with her. The friendship leads Ellie to neglect parts of her job and ignore some of the residents' expectations. Kate, Ellie's sister, grows annoyed as Ellie's focus shifts away from her formal responsibilities.

Early days Woodlane
3

Ellie takes Alice to the river against orders

Against orders, Ellie takes Alice to the river to ease her pain and gives her marijuana. The action is a serious breach of care protocol and places both women at risk. The moment foreshadows the fragility of the care being provided.

Evening of Day 2 River near Woodlane
4

Alice dies the following day

The next day, Alice dies, leaving Ellie shaken and wondering about the consequences of her choices. The death exposes the consequences of bending rules, and questions about Ellie’s judgment begin to surface. Kate's trust in Ellie may be shaken.

Next day Woodlane
5

Kate learns of mother's stroke and Ellie stays with four residents

Kate receives news that their mother has had a stroke and decides to go to her side. She asks Ellie to remain at Woodlane to cover the four long-term residents over the Christmas period. Ellie agrees, setting up a Christmas-focused dynamic with the ensemble.

Christmas period start Woodlane
6

Donald requests breakfast in his room; Ellie asserts dining-room routine

Donald Vanston requests breakfast in his room at 6 o'clock rather than the dining room. Ellie confronts him and insists that meals be eaten with everyone in the dining room at the usual time of 8. The disagreement highlights the friction between a resident’s habits and the care home's routines.

6:00 AM Donald's room
7

Donald shares about his late wife and sobriety

Donald reveals that the nightly music is his late wife's favorite song, and that he regrets not sobering up before she died. He expresses loneliness and a longing for better memories. The moment deepens Ellie's understanding of the residents’ histories.

Evening Donald's room
8

Heather blocks Hazel's letters and Hazel's art is revealed

Heather demands that any letters addressed to her sister be kept from Hazel to avoid upsetting her. Ellie receives a letter for Hazel from the postman and discovers sketches and paintings in Hazel's room, revealing that Hazel is a talented artist. Hazel confronts Ellie in a tense moment that foreshadows further secrets.

During stay Hazel's room
9

Hazel's art and Heather's deception revealed

Hazel's talent as an artist is confirmed through the paintings and sketches Ellie finds. Heather reveals that she has been writing as Hazel to locate her son Simon, who she was forced to give up for adoption. Hazel and Heather decide to meet Simon together in the new year, choosing to face the past as a family.

Mid-stay Hazel's room
10

Georgia's backstory and return to theatre

Georgia Platts talks about her late husband and how she returned to theatre after his death. She admits that life changed since she was young and that returning to Woodlane is a way to avoid being alone. She jokes that abusing everyone is 'part of the fun,' highlighting her brassy, provocative nature.

During stay Woodlane
11

Ellie plans a Christmas dinner and art display

Ellie plans a Christmas dinner with all four residents, and they venture out to buy decorations and food. They visit the pub for a drink and the group shares Hazel's paintings on the wall. The night reinforces budding camaraderie as the residents prepare to celebrate together.

Christmas Eve/period Woodlane and local pub
12

Carols, dinner, and growing rapport

Back at Woodlane, Heather demonstrates a talent at playing pool as the group sings carols on the way home. The residents share a warm dinner together, and their earlier tensions begin to ease as they enjoy each other’s company. Ellie begins to see a potential for lasting camaraderie among the residents.

Christmas night Woodlane
13

Health inspector visit and the residents' bond solidifies

The next day Mr. Evans from the Department of Health arrives and is shocked that Kate would leave residents unattended. The residents insist they are a family and want to stay together, challenging the system. Donald invites Evans to stay for dinner, and he relents after hearing about the residents' bond.

Next day Woodlane
14

Ellie decides to leave Woodlane to be with their mother

After witnessing the evolving dynamics, Ellie tells Kate that she plans to leave Woodlane to spend time with their mother. Meanwhile, Heather continues gardening, Hazel paints outside, and Donald and Georgia hand out tea to boys raking the lawn. The residents’ independence has grown, even as Ellie’s own path diverges.

Later that day Woodlane
15

Closing moment: dancing and singing

In a final scene, Donald and Georgia are seen dancing outside Woodlane, singing How About You?. The holiday atmosphere reinforces the newfound camaraderie among the residents and Ellie. The film closes on a note of warmth and acceptance within the unlikely family.

Evening Woodlane

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:39

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