Category: review

Hurt by Paradise 

Cert 12A ★★★

A whimsical debut feature and an ode to the modern-day city of London from multitalented director, writer, poet and actor Greta Bellamacina. She stars as Celeste Blackwood, a young mother trying to carve out a career as a poet. 

Her friend and neighbour Stella (played by co-writer Sadie Brown), dreams of hitting the big time as an actress, but spends much of her time babysitting Celeste’s son instead of pursuing her own dreams. There’s a brief – too brief – cameo from the brilliant Jaime Winstone, while Youtuber-turned-actor Tanya Burr also co-stars.

Bellamacina and her co-authors Sadie Brown and Robert Montgomery present a perceptive and often hilariously funny story about friendship and family ties in this glorious adventure. 

Understated and lo-fi, as a picture Hurt By Paradise has undeniable ambition. Although the storyline itself is not always entirely coherent, it is never boring, and is both handsomely acted and full of charming and surreal moments.

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 18/09/20

Cert 18 ★★★★

Netflix

This engaging gothic thriller is set in the postwar American bible belt and is adapted from Donald Ray Pollock’s critically acclaimed novel of the same name.

produced by Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain) and directed by Antonio Campos, the film features an impressive ensemble cast comprised of Tom Holland, Eliza Scanlen and Robert Pattinson amongst other current  Hollywood big hitters. It  follows a series of sinister characters who converge around a young man determined to protect those he loves. 

This is a genuinely thrilling, gorgeously acted and at times deeply unsettling story full of surprising twists and turns and featuring some genuinely thrilling performances all around. 

This review was originally published in The Daily Morror on 18/09/20

Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui – former BAFTA nominees for McQueen – and executive produced by Richard Curtis (Love Actually) and Barbara Broccoli, this stunning docu-feature charts the history of the Paralympic games from their genesis to their place in global modern-day culture. 

Celebrating some of the most incredible and inspiring Paralympians, Rising Phoenix recalls, to name but a few, the Italian fencer Bebe Vio, the Aussie swimmer Ellie Cole, the French runner Jean-Baptiste Alaize and UK gold medallist Jonnie Peacock. All are on hand to tell their compelling stories of triumph over adversity. 

This lovingly made and deeply moving film highlights the sacrifices made by some of the best athletes of our lifetime. Footage from London 2012 is bound to trigger a certain twinge of nostalgia, but the film also carries a wider message about how disability is perceived in the world we live in. 

In absence of the 2020 Paralympics, which has been postponed to next year due to COVID19, Rising Phoenix presents a timely opportunity to revisit some of the most memorable moments of this extraordinary event down the years.

4/5

This review was first published in the Daily Mirror on 28/08/20

This wickedly funny horror comedy marks the feature directorial debut of former music video director Ninian Doff. It follows a trio of wayward Glasgow schoolboys who, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, embark on a character-building trip to the Scottish Highlands, alongside a strait-laced camper.  

Hilarity ensues as the boys find themselves hunted down by a shadowy figure (played rather brilliantly by Eddie Izzard). Hot on their trail, too, is a group of hapless police officers – played by Kate Dickie, Alice Lowe and Kevin Guthrie – who believe them to be a terror gang. 

Watch out for the presence of legendary Scottish actor James Cosmo, who delights as a hip hop-loving local farmer. 

4/5

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 28/08/20

The prolific young Canadian director Xavier Dolan (Mommy, It’s Only the End of the World) also takes a lead role in this tender gay drama about two friends from childhood, Max and Matt (played by Gabriel D’Almeida Freitas), whose passion for each other is reignited by a playful kiss for a dare. As a result, both men question their sexual identities.

Matthias and Maxime is a dazzling and intricate slice of French-Canadian life. Accessible and heartfelt, and full of perfect attention to detail, it is one of Dolan’s best films yet.

Stars 5/5

This review was first published in The Daily Mirror on 28/08/20