On this page: BEAST BEAST | I'M NOT IN LOVE | SENSATION

< < I N D I E S > >

The ensemble is strikingly realistic, playing up comical connections, loose-limbed and loving life. Angeles' Nito is the most engaging, with his impeccably goofy timing and winning smile, and it's clear there's much more under the surface. Flickers of attraction between Krista and Nito are beautifully played. And Chen finds some terrific layers in popular girl Krista. Meanwhile, Madden is a bundle of insecurities as a guy trying his best. Then he makes the mistake of reading the comments under his latest video.

There are nods to other major issues along the way, such as the casual drug use these teens enjoy or the way the police immediately go for Nito in a crowd of disorderly teens. And Adam is super-conscientious about his guns, while careless chuckleheads get more views for their videos. Where the film goes in its final act is unexpected and darkly moving. The title refers to an acting exercise to help you release the beast within, and while writer-director Madden's approach isn't particularly subtle, it definitely gets us thinking.

themes, language, violence

13.Apr.21

Throughout this odyssey, Weaver has a hapless charm as Rob interacts with people who press in on him in distinctly unwelcome ways, including Peake-Jones as Rob's sparky, oblivious mother. Catalina is solid in a thankless role, making Marta's anger justifiable. Watkins, Whitam and Patel add their own messy angles, hinting at lives off-screen without actually revealing much. But they gently nudge Rob along, adding to the wider exploration of how relationships shift over time.

Rob's crippling uncertainty and insecurity are frustrating to watch, as he simply seems unable to confront anything about himself or his life, which leaves the film feeling somewhat aimless. It's a knowing look at how we cope with society's pressures to conform, and how our idealistic dreams can get in the way of happiness. Although perhaps the main problem is that the film's message about the complexities of love is delivered in way that's both preachy and simplistic, complete with a few plot points that are strangely random and undeveloped.

themes, language

6.Apr.21

Simon is likeable as a guy who discovers that he can absorb and control other people's senses. As the training programme literally gets inside his head, he begins to question what's real and what isn't. His fellow trainees never quite become fully fledged characters, aside from their varying levels of ability. And Wyatt and Martin remain far too enigmatic to have much of a dramatic impact, appearing mysteriously in Simon's bewildered perceptions. Still, it's up to them to drop bits of plot all over the place.

Because it's mainly set around the training process, the film feels like a prologue to an action franchise. But there's very little light and shade in the story; it plays out on a basic narrative level that lacks the nuance needed to properly draw viewers in. The whiplash editing and continual stream of twists and turns are enjoyable enough to keep us watching. But it's very difficult to care what happens when everything is so sketchy.

themes, language, violence

5.Apr.21