GET REAL |
| CREDITS: Director: Simon Shore. Cast: Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte
Brittain, Stacy A. Hart, Kate McEnery, Patrick Neilson, Tim Harris & James D. White.
UK 1998. INTRODUCTION: A well deserved winner of the audience prize at the 52nd Edinburgh International Film Festival, Shore's comic masterpiece was the surprise hit of the festival. SYNOPSIS: Steven is a closeted teenage homosexual, desperate for love, but reduced to hanging around the gents in the park, until a chance encounter leads him into the relationship he always longed for and its agonising consequences. REVIEW: Okay so a film about teenage cottaging in Basingstoke city centre may not sound like ideal subject matter for a comedy, but anything becomes possible when a brilliant script is put to good use by a talented director and a skilled cast. Silverstone is excellent in the role of Steven, bringing pathos and charm to a role that desperately needs it. It is hard to imagine any of the current so called "Brit Pack" being able to put in a performance half as good as this young newcomer or indeed any of his supporting players. This, Shore's feature debut, follows a string of TV documentaries and successful shorts including the BAFTA award winning "La Boule" indicating once again what an excellent training ground the short is. Shore's documentary background shines through in the realistic visuals and naturalistic action, with a tinge of an 80's Hughes teen flick. Fantastic film fun from an up and coming director. Mutt's Rating: ***** |