This was an interesting movie, but judging by most of the comments logged on this site, you'd want to rush out and buy the studio, not just the DVD. Well it's not *that* good.
The style is very reminiscent of London fringe stage drama of the "ultra-realistic" genre. On the stage, this style works better as the audience feels intensely part of the drama. On the screen, the style works occasionally, but not throughout.
The jerkiness of the hand-held camera technique does not have a realistic impact on this reviewer - rather it acts as a constant reminder that one is watching film rather than life. Only in the "non-chamber" scenes do we benefit from the use of film rather than stage for this piece.
The subject matter and locations remind one of Poliakoff, but in my view Poliakoff usually does this stuff much better. You feel that the characters in this movie have more to them than their drab lives reveal, but (unlike in a Poliakoff) none of them has sufficient get up and go to try to change anything about their lives. The result is that the film goes nowhere. Admittedly it goes nowhere elegantly, well-acted, in parts movingly, but it is still nowhere.
Real talent on show - would love to see similar cast and same director working with a more interesting script. Would someone please sponsor them a couple of tripods for their next attempt.
The style is very reminiscent of London fringe stage drama of the "ultra-realistic" genre. On the stage, this style works better as the audience feels intensely part of the drama. On the screen, the style works occasionally, but not throughout.
The jerkiness of the hand-held camera technique does not have a realistic impact on this reviewer - rather it acts as a constant reminder that one is watching film rather than life. Only in the "non-chamber" scenes do we benefit from the use of film rather than stage for this piece.
The subject matter and locations remind one of Poliakoff, but in my view Poliakoff usually does this stuff much better. You feel that the characters in this movie have more to them than their drab lives reveal, but (unlike in a Poliakoff) none of them has sufficient get up and go to try to change anything about their lives. The result is that the film goes nowhere. Admittedly it goes nowhere elegantly, well-acted, in parts movingly, but it is still nowhere.
Real talent on show - would love to see similar cast and same director working with a more interesting script. Would someone please sponsor them a couple of tripods for their next attempt.