Catching up on a year of film and wanting to write a review of a British Film... after having the chance to view parts of a film that was invited to see as part of the London Film Festival, have decided to pick on film relatively close to my heart, about a character down on his luck living in London - step forward Hello Carter...
Advertised as a comedy by LFF, if anything Hello Carter was not quite sure what genre it should be; although that is probably more a reflection on us viewers and our need to characterise things...it did feel like a stylish rom-com that was neither a romance nor a comedy... maybe that's what made it such a likable film, in that it couldn't be put in a suitable box. Although perhaps in turn that was the main flaw with the film... as it certainly felt that in the case of the script, of being a case of more a sum of its parts, than an overall rounded story.
It's fair to say the basic premise of a wild goose chase around London was a bit fanciful and some of the coincidences a bit unlikely in this day and age - but when accepted the story was just that (fanciful) & the over-arching plot was probably meant as no more a vehicle for more subtle examinations of relationships and chance in key individual scenes, some poignant, others interspersed with good ole British humour (well that was my take)... then I think that the filmmakers generally hit the mark and made it work.
The lead character perhaps suffered from being neither unlikeable nor lovable, whilst well-acted, Carter seemed safe and it would have been interesting to see a more volatile performance (or character) in that role...however there were a lot of other good performances and certainly whenever Jodie Whittaker's character appeared, the film seemed to have more edge...perhaps more of Hello Jenny over Carter wouldn't have gone a miss.
Alongside good supporting performances, it was the subtle direction and especially good camera work that pulled the film together into a highly watchable British film. It was great to see London on film and so well filmed...one of the few low(er) budget British films that I would recommend others to see. Hope to see more of this ilk in future at the London Film Festival. A Solid 7/10 from me.
Advertised as a comedy by LFF, if anything Hello Carter was not quite sure what genre it should be; although that is probably more a reflection on us viewers and our need to characterise things...it did feel like a stylish rom-com that was neither a romance nor a comedy... maybe that's what made it such a likable film, in that it couldn't be put in a suitable box. Although perhaps in turn that was the main flaw with the film... as it certainly felt that in the case of the script, of being a case of more a sum of its parts, than an overall rounded story.
It's fair to say the basic premise of a wild goose chase around London was a bit fanciful and some of the coincidences a bit unlikely in this day and age - but when accepted the story was just that (fanciful) & the over-arching plot was probably meant as no more a vehicle for more subtle examinations of relationships and chance in key individual scenes, some poignant, others interspersed with good ole British humour (well that was my take)... then I think that the filmmakers generally hit the mark and made it work.
The lead character perhaps suffered from being neither unlikeable nor lovable, whilst well-acted, Carter seemed safe and it would have been interesting to see a more volatile performance (or character) in that role...however there were a lot of other good performances and certainly whenever Jodie Whittaker's character appeared, the film seemed to have more edge...perhaps more of Hello Jenny over Carter wouldn't have gone a miss.
Alongside good supporting performances, it was the subtle direction and especially good camera work that pulled the film together into a highly watchable British film. It was great to see London on film and so well filmed...one of the few low(er) budget British films that I would recommend others to see. Hope to see more of this ilk in future at the London Film Festival. A Solid 7/10 from me.