Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Maxine Peake | ... | Eileen Lamont | |
Maisie Williams | ... | Lydia Lamont | |
Florence Pugh | ... | Abbie Mortimer | |
Anna Burnett | ... | Susan | |
Greta Scacchi | ... | Miss Edith Mantel | |
Hannah Rose Caton | ... | Titch (as Rose Caton) | |
Lauren McCrostie | ... | Gwen | |
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Katie Ann Knight | ... | Connie |
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Evie Hooton | ... | Janet |
Monica Dolan | ... | Miss Martha Alvaro | |
Mathew Baynton | ... | Mr Hopkins | |
Morfydd Clark | ... | Miss Pamela Charron | |
Joe Cole | ... | Kenneth Lamont | |
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Elizabeth Marsh | ... | Miss Fanshawe |
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Hannah Stokely | ... | Miss Ash |
It's 1969 at a strict English girls' school where charismatic Abbie and intense and troubled Lydia are best friends. After a tragedy occurs at the school, a mysterious fainting epidemic breaks out threatening the stability of all involved.
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" a fine film of the 70s, telling a story of how a group of schoolgirls disappeared on a visit to Ayers Rock. This film had it eerie, creepy, atmospheric, less talky than this; in other words classy.
Alas this film, which I thought would match this from the reviews I read, did not come anywhere near it. Whereas this was certainly a personal project to writer / director, to everyone else it really is a non-sensical load of tosh. Neither eerie, classy, engaging or atmospheric.
The school group was similar to "Picnic" i.e. pretty centre of attention girl, mixed up clever girl down to fat eat a lot girl...pretty stereotypical characters.
When the fainting/shaking actually occurs, especially in the school assembly scene I'm afraid it became comical. They were obviously well drilled on how to faint.
The Director did try to convey a sense of nature at work here. For example, intimating that Abbie's spirit lingered among the old oak tree, straight through to hearing fox cries, owls hooting, even in the scenes shot in Lydia's house! Needless to say the (step)brother and (step)sister "getting it on" scenes were pretty uncomfortable. On that point was not convinced on the Mother character, especially the acting.
Major plus however, Florence Pugh, she is going to go far. A great looking girl with a distinctive voice and she can sing play guitar.