Far from the Apple Tree

This is directed by Grant McPhee, whose earlier 'Night Kaleidoscope' made such a virtue out of its very low budget. Although wildly different in mood and atmosphere, McPhee works his magic just as effectively for this story.

The acting - for much of the time a two hander - is excellent. Sorcha Groundsell and Victoria Liddelle are wonderful as Judith and Roberta respectively. Supporting cast is equally fine. So good is this, it didn't dawn on me until writing this review that there isn't a single male character.

Like 'Night Kaleidoscope', this film stretches the boundaries of 'horror' as we know it; in a recent interview McPhee has said how he fails to see the point of emulating the style of much bigger budgeted productions and instead prefers to extol the virtues of more modest resources - and he does this admirably. His films possess an intimate, claustrophobic often trippy sense of unease, even in a sprawling, beautiful location such as this.

The much discussed Maddy is an interesting character, deliberately thinly sketched and therefore a mystery with dark undertones. To discuss this more would ruin the build up of what is a pretty slim, but compelling, storyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed this vaguely Brontë -ish tale of melancholy and longing and eagerly await McPhee's next project - surely one of the most interesting and innovative directors of recent years. 8 out of 10.