Sunday, August 5, 2007

London to Brighton: Riveting Raw Success


Cinema is the most fascinating art I can ever think of. A confluence of a all forms of art in time and space, explored through a highly technical medium.

Talking scenes that one arrogantly creates within the confines of a frame.

What else do I say to express my excitement and sense of cinematic fulfillment of whatching "London to Brighton"? It is not about money (a reported budget of less than a million dollars), it's not about spectacles (largely simple indoors and a bit of outdoors)and it's not even about a wide range of lenses or fancy equipment (shot in 16 mm).

"London to Brighton" is an edge of the seat suspense thriller that takes off from the word go, not through flash cuts or crane shots, but through the sheer honesty of story telling and superlative performances. A bad looking and badly bruised hooker and a 12-year old girl are on the run from some frightening situation. We don't know what or who they are running away from. As the movie unfolds, we see the rest of the plot and we move towards the edge of the seat in anxiety, fear and anticipation for the worst. I wouldn't want to say anything more lest I should reveal the essence of the film.

This film is about the confidence of a debut director, about outstanding performances, and meticulously etched characters. As the lead characters,Lorraine Stanley and Georgia Groome (by the way, who are they and where did they come from?) have delivered stunning performances and are really worth to be looked out for. Georgia Groome, at her tender age, is a dynamite on screen. Take a look at the rehearsal clip of Georgia in the special features of the DVD. She is amazing talent.

For British director Paul Andrew Williams, apparenlty, this is a modified version of his 2001 short titled "Royalty". I am already avaricious to see more from him. If anybody has any more information on him, please share in this space. Same for Lorraine and Greorgia too.

This is what the BBC has said about the movie: At last - after years in the Mockney doldrums, the British crime flick gets a double-barrelled shot in the arm. London To Brighton is a brutal and brilliantly assured debut from writer/director Paul Andrew Williams. And he's not the only new name to watch - there are terrific turns from unknowns Lorraine Stanley and Georgia Groome, respectively playing a hooker and a teenage runaway in flight from some very unsavoury characters. World-beatingly grim, it'll put you through the wringer, but you won't regret the journey.

Dont this miss this amazing sleeper.Take a look at this trailer: