Muscle

Watched this film over 3 days, bit baffled by it tbh as the story doesnt really go anywhere and the ending is pointless, was filmed in black an white which doesnt really add anything to the film apart from making it a bit more frustrating to watch.

This film really kept me gripped for the first two thirds of the film and was heading for a 7-8 rating particularly with the performance of Fairbrass who I'm a huge fan of.

However it is ruined by a pointless unsatisfactory ending that left me feeling hugely disappointed. It was as if the writer didn't know where to go with it and it peters out into nothing. I also dont understand why the film was done in black and white. Not sure what that added. Would have been better in colour.

An excellent subject matter and very thought provoking, at times. Then as the film enters the final turn, it high sides!!! What should of been an ending, any ending other than the limp, pathetic and absolutely ridiculous one given to us. It then becomes an absolute joke! The plot has many flaws but the ending is as if everyone involved contracted Covid-19 and had to self isolate. Don't waste your time, you will never get it back!!

Very fine performance by Cavan Clerkin as the hapless call centre drone who gets sucked into an ever worsening nightmare via a dubious personal trainer. The sound design is particularly effective, with the sounds of the weights hitting the racks enough to make you recoil from the deafening clatter.

Whatever the opposite of a feel-good film is, this is it, but it holds one"s interest as the protagonist's dilemma becomes increasingly desperate. The black and white cinematography serves the bleak setting and storyline well. The abrupt ending will leave some viewers frustrated, but is certainly preferable to a pat and predictable conclusion that would have been the choice of a Hollywood studio.

Thought MUSCLE was going to be another average film but from the first 10 minutes I was hooked on the people involved and the story. The acting was excellent specially Craig Fairbrass. Fine direction and the black and white also added to the movie. Well worth the money to get the dvd and have a look.