Length: 03:00
Logline: Portrait of a last generation east end market stall holder.
A well rounded short doc which won't take up much of your time and might leave you a little touched, reflective or even sad. It is subtle, steady paced with well selected shots and dialogue used in the edit. The first thing that impressed me was the great sound quality on what is an entirely external shoot. The only thing that slightly hampers it it protagonist, Reg's stumbling voice. But that's all part of this old guys character and aids the completely naturalistic manner in which this film works.
You're not going to learn anything profound or be dazzled with anything new with this story. It's a simple glance into the end of a long and average career of a normal man who doesn't stand out in any way. It is no less poignant for that though and by examining a subject that is so ordinary, we are able to perhaps pay a little bit more attention to something we might never really think about. There's probably tones of themes in this, whether intentional or not. Working life, end of an era, old fashioned values in modern society and all that. None of which is rammed down our throats and is merely mentioned in passing in a soft and gentle way.
I feel like I'm havering on this one so I'll quit while I'm ahead before it becomes too obvious I don't know what I'm talking about.
This is the three minute version. The longer 6:49 version can be found here.
Best Bit: Excellent sound quality.
Worst Bit: Don't really get a good look at Reg, always cropped or side shots.
Final thought: Poor auld fella humphing sacks o tatties about at his age.
Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.
No comments:
Post a Comment