Dragonfly

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Miranda D. @mirandarosedow Nov 9 A down to earth, believable story and performance that will tug at your heart strings, down to the unfortunate twist. Could have stood for a bit more levity—“smells like bacon” See more Alan W Nov 8 It's not often I get to say I was blindsided by a film but that's exactly what happened when I went to see a preview of writer-director Paul Andrew Williams' latest knowing practically nothing about it beforehand. (And so should you.) Partly it's because I was lured into a false sense of security by the cosy heart-warming set up of your usual British social-realist indie drama about a friendship blossoming between Brenda Blethyn's elderly Elsie who lives on her own, and her next door neighbour, Andrea Riseborough's younger rough-on-the-outside but more fragile-on-the-inside Colleen whose only companion until now is her dog. Primarily a film about loneliness as much as it is a social commentary on elderly neglect, the screenplay is very conscious about incorporating certain genre tropes associated with those themes for dramatic effect, such as Elsie's increasing trust and dependence on Colleen and the scepticism coming from Elsie's son, Jason Watkins' John, of Colleen's ulterior motives. However, they are mere camouflage as to where this film is really heading and what will be the catalyst for that final act which will leave its audience shell-shocked and even traumatised as the credits roll. With a tight focus on Colleen and Elsie throughout the film, almost to the exclusion of the outside world, it's all down to the absolutely mesmerizing and compelling performances from Blethyn and Riseborough that we find ourselves so completely invested in their characters that we dread how the drama between them will unfold; and more importantly, whether there's going to be a positive resolution in the end. Efficiently constructed and uncompromisingly unsentimental, this is a bold and original film in which some might find the frantic finale too much and too whiplash-inducing, but its impact is undeniable and will linger with you long after the film ends. See more Read all reviews

Dragonfly

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