January 2nd is a very entertaining, character driven film that combines intelligent and often moving drama with laugh out loud moments of humour. The story consists of a group of friends that are now approaching their forties getting together for New Year at the country home of the only long term couple in the group. Over the course of the few days they are there, old rivalries and tensions, as well as romances, are brought to the surface. The writers and filmmakers have done a great job in bringing out fully rounded and realistic characters, each with their own problems, but at the same time each likable in their own way. The cast rises to this and every performance in the film is excellent. Due to the power of the characters, the audience gets behind them and goes through the drama with them. The humour is also so much funnier, as the audience feels like they know the characters. I was fortunate enough to attend a showing of this film at the Bradford International Film Festival and meet the Director and Producer. This film has clearly been a labour of love for both of them and they talked intelligently and passionately about it. They made this film because they saw it as a great script and wanted to make a great film, and they have every right to be proud of the end result. Well worth watching for anybody that enjoys intelligent films and has a sense of humour!
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