After nine years, Jack (Andrew Buchan), proposes to his infertile girlfriend Camille (Romola Garai), whilst working in a seemingly poor job fixing old arcade machines with best (and possibly only) friend and boss Paul (Steven Cree), with his chess loving father Peter (Philip Davies) pressuring him to get a real job in order to fully support her. Complications, however, begin to arrive when Anna (Anna Friel) an old one night stand from years back, turns up at his doorstep with her seven year old son Phoenix (Issac Andrews) claiming that he just may be the father.
The most admirable thing about Having You is the character development and the writer's ability to keep them grounded and realistic, so that we care about them enough and grow invested in them. It's a tale of human nature and responsibility, and we follow Jack on his journey of coming to terms with the mistakes he has made and facing them like a true adult, responsibly and maturely; not to mention dealing with a shut down and difficult relationship with his father, the growing struggles of keeping his family a secret from the completely clueless Camille, and old habits rearing their ugly heads back into the picture as Jack struggles with the troubling hand he has been dealt.
A real plus in the matter is Steven Cree's witty and often hilarious portrayal of the easy-going boss (who acts more like a teenager trapped in a man's body), who really gives the film that comic relief in the occasional moments in which he shares screen time.
Towards the last half hour, the film takes a dramatic change in direction that does its job exceptionally well by building up the emotions and tension before delivering a powerful and heartbreaking finale that really hits the audience hard. Unfortunately, it is such a film that will go without any real recognition, and this is a real shame due to it's impressive quality and well crafted storytelling.
My Verdict: Emotional, character driven and grounded, Having You is one of those rare gems that sticks with you long after it's over.
The most admirable thing about Having You is the character development and the writer's ability to keep them grounded and realistic, so that we care about them enough and grow invested in them. It's a tale of human nature and responsibility, and we follow Jack on his journey of coming to terms with the mistakes he has made and facing them like a true adult, responsibly and maturely; not to mention dealing with a shut down and difficult relationship with his father, the growing struggles of keeping his family a secret from the completely clueless Camille, and old habits rearing their ugly heads back into the picture as Jack struggles with the troubling hand he has been dealt.
A real plus in the matter is Steven Cree's witty and often hilarious portrayal of the easy-going boss (who acts more like a teenager trapped in a man's body), who really gives the film that comic relief in the occasional moments in which he shares screen time.
Towards the last half hour, the film takes a dramatic change in direction that does its job exceptionally well by building up the emotions and tension before delivering a powerful and heartbreaking finale that really hits the audience hard. Unfortunately, it is such a film that will go without any real recognition, and this is a real shame due to it's impressive quality and well crafted storytelling.
My Verdict: Emotional, character driven and grounded, Having You is one of those rare gems that sticks with you long after it's over.
