A boyfriend goes with his girlfriend to meet the family for the first time - although perhaps a hospital room as her grandfather breathes his last was not the best place to try to make a first impression.
This film had the potential to feel like a sketch, since it is an awkward scenario played out for max impact; however there is enough in here to flesh it out and work as more than this. The introductory scene tells us a lot about the lead man, his girlfriend, and their relationship. His awkwardness and frustration leads him to some terrible accidents, decisions, and interactions through the brief time in the hospice room, but it produces a nicely consistent cringe humour throughout. McLeod's awkwardness is very well played, but I enjoyed the presence and reactions of Ennis - more direct perhaps but still got good laughs. The film plays out well, with cringe upon cringe - some failings of the lead, some understandable errors; but they all work and are funny. I thought the final scene was out of step with the film a little, but it was fine and didn't detract from the whole.
This film had the potential to feel like a sketch, since it is an awkward scenario played out for max impact; however there is enough in here to flesh it out and work as more than this. The introductory scene tells us a lot about the lead man, his girlfriend, and their relationship. His awkwardness and frustration leads him to some terrible accidents, decisions, and interactions through the brief time in the hospice room, but it produces a nicely consistent cringe humour throughout. McLeod's awkwardness is very well played, but I enjoyed the presence and reactions of Ennis - more direct perhaps but still got good laughs. The film plays out well, with cringe upon cringe - some failings of the lead, some understandable errors; but they all work and are funny. I thought the final scene was out of step with the film a little, but it was fine and didn't detract from the whole.
