Length: 05:59
Logline: A guy down on his luck's optimistic outlook isn't enough to change his fortune.
This is an oddball tale which falls flat when committing to both genre and theme. It's not funny enough to be a comedy nor dramatic enough to be a drama and the central theme about life being a lottery, or something, is given a conclusion which audiences might not find wholly satisfying. "when your luck changes and your number's are up. Well, anybody can be a winner" are the moot parting words of Jeffery Lockwood, played by capable Jonathon Harden, which are so unmemorable they make for a very bland ending.
This is a competent production though, and if you can forgive the off-kilter aspect ratio of the uploaded video, there's some good shot compositions, camera movements and it's a well handled edit. Several storytelling devices have been utilised such as intercutting a flash-forward sequence to create tension, voice over to aid the setup and shorten length, as well as some setups and payoffs.
Harden and Martin Rogan, who plays Big Phil, as with the rest of the cast are all very good, retain the tone of the film throughout and there's no dulling of the Northern Irish accent which is refreshing. Sound design has been done well but continuity slips a little with Lockwood's work rival turning up after been seen sitting downstairs. Why Big Phil doesn't just call an ambulance is questionable and as mentioned, the conclusion is too open ended for me. Plot needs to be ironed out more and made more comprehensible and with emotional resonance.
This is an oddball tale which falls flat when committing to both genre and theme. It's not funny enough to be a comedy nor dramatic enough to be a drama and the central theme about life being a lottery, or something, is given a conclusion which audiences might not find wholly satisfying. "when your luck changes and your number's are up. Well, anybody can be a winner" are the moot parting words of Jeffery Lockwood, played by capable Jonathon Harden, which are so unmemorable they make for a very bland ending.
This is a competent production though, and if you can forgive the off-kilter aspect ratio of the uploaded video, there's some good shot compositions, camera movements and it's a well handled edit. Several storytelling devices have been utilised such as intercutting a flash-forward sequence to create tension, voice over to aid the setup and shorten length, as well as some setups and payoffs.
Harden and Martin Rogan, who plays Big Phil, as with the rest of the cast are all very good, retain the tone of the film throughout and there's no dulling of the Northern Irish accent which is refreshing. Sound design has been done well but continuity slips a little with Lockwood's work rival turning up after been seen sitting downstairs. Why Big Phil doesn't just call an ambulance is questionable and as mentioned, the conclusion is too open ended for me. Plot needs to be ironed out more and made more comprehensible and with emotional resonance.
Best Bit: Decent put together production.
Worst Bit: The title is terrible.
Read a condensed review of this film on Twitter here.
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