This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
Benjamin is a 30-ish neurotic, bit lonely and a "weird" young film-maker. He is very stressed about his second feature film. He is uncertain about everything and has issues of self-loathing. Through his publicist, he meets Noah at a party and instantly falls for him. Noah is young budding French singer. Benjamin makes all sorts of lovely small talks and pretty soon they are hanging out, almost falling in love and Benjamin's insecurities prevent him from taking this relationship to next level. Primarily because of his own insecurities, instability, bad movie review etc. The two of them go in and out of taking the next step while Benjamin maneuvers around his life with his best friend Simon, his publicist and his co-actor from his previously directed film. The end is super sweet.
As I mentioned above, when the film started, I was a bit wary of Benjamin's character but with time when you get to know him, you fall more and more in love with him. You can totally see why Noah and Benjamin would connect at a level where so called 'normal' people would not be able to relate. The theme of loneliness, human connection and the struggle of letting love in is something that we all at some point can relate to. Love is complex and even more so when you a bit different. The biggest star of the film are the dialogues and how Benjamin has to pretty much say out loud whatever is going on in his head and that makes for some great entertainment. Its a mix of embarrassed style, a very self-centred man who is pitiabe but also adorable. As actors everyone does a fantastic job. Its hard to define the genre of this film since it somewhat falls into romantic comedy but its not comedy. Its funny in a lot of areas but not strictly comedy. It's Benjamin's insecurities, which also reflect in the film he is making, keep making you as an audience more invested in the film. The director creates sweet contrast in the scenes between Benjamin and Noah, as Benjamin is simultaneously terrified and elated about being part of something he can’t guarantee will have a happy ending.
I really really enjoyed the film. It not great but a film that makes you fall in love with its characters is definitely something special. (7.5/10)
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