Caught in a Trap (2008) (TV)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Michael Samuels

Writer:

James Graham (written by)

Release Date:

26 December 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Gemma collects money out of parking meters. But really she's obsessed with Elvis. |

Cast

Lauren Brooks	...	Young Gemma
Jim Carter	...	Brian Perkins
Connie Fisher	...	Gemma Perkins
Geraldine James	...	Joyce Perkins
Robert Putt	...	William
Paul Barber	...	Donald
Danny Szam	...	Trevor
Rebecca Night	...	Becci
Malinda Parris	...	Colleen
Danielle Isaie	...	Falicia
Paul Bown	...	Mr. Thornton
Ben Crompton	...	Steve Campbell
Nicholas Parsons	...	TV Presenter
Joe Absolom	...	Marcus Stewart
Osmund Bullock	...	Auctioneer

Country:

UK

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Greenlit Productions

You'll Never Walk Alone ... eventually

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This is a sweet little 'made for TV' feature, based on a true story, about a young woman, unable to connect with the people around her. After losing her mother at a young age, her father remarries, and Gemma feels alone. Obsessing on her youthful crush on Elvis Presley and his music, she grows up to be a meter maid for the Council. Mousey and shy, she never clicks with the other office staff, and avoids becoming close to anyone. Hearing a busker playing an Elvis song as she returns from collecting the meter coins, she impulsively takes a 1 pound coin from the takings, and throws it into his guitar case. Back at the office, she fiddles the figures to show the take down by the 1 pound, and begins a note book, posting the 1 pound she means to return to the council. But it's a slippery slope, and as the days pass, she begins to use more and more of the coins to collect Elvis memorabilia, hiding it in the family attic. The story of Gemma, lonely and withdrawn, is well portrayed by the lead actress, and the other cast members, notably the actor portraying the father, are believable and sympathetic. I enjoyed this 'slice of life', this peek into the minds and hearts of the people next door. They could be your neighbours; you may have passed similar people on your way to work, and never noticed or cared that they existed. When the theft is inevitably discovered, Germma's task is to learn and grow from her experience, and to learn to not be afraid of reaching out for the companionship she craves.