Director: Jules Bishop
Cast: Philip Davis, Theo Barkleem-Biggs, Juliet Oldfield, Warren Brown
Time: 87 Minutes
Rating: TBC
Synopsis: The fumbling and failing criminal Kevin from London finds himself begging for his life as he tries to rob an old man to pay for a drug deal gone wrong. The failed robbery leads to a cup of tea, and frequent yet unwanted visits to the old man’s house where Kevin finds refuge.
In the short and sweet 90 minutes BORROWED TIME manages to make the audience laugh, cry, smile, wonder, and ponder about life and what it means to be a good person. Theo Barkleem-Biggs is brilliant as Kevin and brings so much innocence to the character of a supposed thug, and outcast of society. Kevin is shunned by his sister (Juliet Oldfield) due to his unreliable nature, he is mocked by friends because of his cluelessness and he is preyed upon by a drug dealer who quickly takes advantage of him. E
Jules Bishop has made a tremendous debut film and he has done so by capturing London youth and life without ridiculing it. Bishop’ slight extremes come in the form of a over energetic ninja drug dealing Nigel, an old man surrounded by dead animals and an all around selection of characters who have failed in life. All these add to the shameless laughing at brilliantly put together amusing scenes and dialogue.
BORROWED TIME starts of with asserting the idea of who has it made, and who doesn’t. Kevin is introduced staring at a clock in a pawnbrokers, the 64.99 pound price tag intimidates him, but Nigel (Warren Brown) assures him it’s pocket money which he could easily make by working for him delivering drugs to customers. The little job which gets Kevin into more financial trouble is brilliantly underplayed, and the frustration of Kevin’s inability to exchange drugs for money is moving and funny at the same time. The customer walks away with the drugs, while Kevin stands there owing his new boss more than 500 pounds, while all he wanted was to make 65 to buy back a clock for his sister.
BORROWED TIME is a must see film which makes its limited release highly unfortunate. It’s a feel good film with heartwarming moments which stays with the audience as it highlights the good in bad people, and the bad in good people. Although the film wants to focus on the buddy relationship between two contrasting men, there’s more to be said and learned from the rise of the underdogs, not only in the form of Kevin but also those who stand up and fight to create a family and circle of friends of their choice.
BORROWED TIME is out in UK cinemas on the 13th of September
