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LFF Review: Kelly + Victor

Director: Kieran Evans

Cast: Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Julian Morris, William Ruane, Claire Keelan, Stephen Walters

Running time: 90 mins

Plot: A tragic love story adapted from Niall Griffiths acclaimed novel, following the transgressive relationship between Kelly and Victor.

What starts out as an engaging depiction of the effects the most dangerously toxic drug of all can have, slowly declines into a forced and transparently fragmented affair, where unnecessary plot lines and superfluous writing prevail.

Certain themes in the plot touch upon important social commentaries, such as the difficulty many working class people face when it comes to temptation in the form of ‘easy’, though illegal, ways to make money. Kelly’s friend, Victoria, is a dominatrix prostitute with a rich clientele, and Victor’s friends make a bomb as drug dealers, while the strapped-for-cash couple merely observe, with nothing lining their metaphysical pockets but their morals. It is a very real and lonely inner conflict that millions face every day.

However, the structure of the film begins to wane halfway through, as lengthy shots of Kelly and Victor contemplating their feelings devolve from an understandable necessity to gratuitous filler. Furthermore, the subplot involving Kelly’s ex-boyfriend feels very unnatural, as it serves no discernible purpose, except to act as a plot device ensuring Kelly encounters Victor once more, at just the right time.

This laissez-faire attitude towards the other characters is noticeable when it comes to all of the supporting roles, and is obviously a way of focusing the audience’s attention on the story of Kelly and Victor specifically. This would be fine and is even appropriate given the nature of the film, but it doesn’t work because the main characters aren’t quite captivating enough.

While it is bracing to view a realistic love story with a dash of tragedy, the pacing, structure and style have a detrimental effect on the final product.

Check out the rest of our LFF coverage here.

Martin has been a film buff (or geek, if you prefer) for as long as he can remember. However, he lives and longs for storytelling of all kinds, and writes across numerous mediums to feed his insatiable appetite. He lives in north-west London, and his favourite films are, possibly: PAN'S LABYRINTH, THEY LIVE, PSYCHO, HIGH FIDELITY, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, STAND BY ME, SIDEWAYS and OFFICE SPACE.

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