There is no reason why my beign shy shoul keep us apart…

In a land not so far away, we learn about generosity, female relationships and queer romance.

A white fluffy Dandelion´s seed pods flies around and gets into  a room with pink walls where Helen´s hands receive it.  Helen (Louise Brealey)  lives with her ex husband Gary (Celyn Jones) his mother Gwen (Sorcha Cusack) , his girlfriend (scene stealer  Emily_Fairn) and a baby.

“I am .. I said “   Neil Diammond´s successful song and Little Anthony & The Imperials´s “Going out of my head“  (both in touching moments of the film)  among other popular hits, take us along  in this whimsical  musical comedy drama set in a small town in North Wales present day.

Movie´s aestethics remind of  Lars von Trier´s Dancer in the Dark  in dialogue with Mike Leigh´s social concerns, it is a celebration of female working class friendship and also a projection of brute men´s ugly shadows in the lives of women.

Helen works night shift  at a factory packing chickens, her life concern is to take good care of Gwen, her lodger that became her mother in law, with whom she has lived for 20 years

Gwen rests in bed at Helen´s room next door, she is a loving and maternal figure that is soon to pass away.  Gwen  advices Helen she shouldn´t be afraid of living.

Helen´s  routine and boring  days are soon to change,  Joanne (Annabel Scholey),  her  high school mate and neighbour  is back in town after several years and is bringing the northern light in Helen´s mind to guide her.

Colorful sequences filled with fluffy things floating around  (and failing feathers) take the group of friend up to a mountain on top of which magic mushrooms await.

And, in a kind of dirty old town where one can´t  barely breath, you may walk in love and two birds may be as one above…  after repression vanishes and feelings untold finally come out.

Louise Brealey work is beautifully crafted.  Sorcha Cusack warmth deserves a special mention.

Written and directed by Janis Plugh,  film premiered at Edinburgh Film Festival, 2023 and will be screening at OUTshine in Miami nad Wicked Queer in Boston

 

 

Review by José Mayorga , Guatemala, Central America lawyer and notary public, visual artist, and editor of El Azar Cultural, lives and works in Guatemala City. Cinema lover, curious about the possibilities life brings and eager to live the experience.