Been So Long

Simone (Michaela Coel) is a single Mum reluctant to get into a relationships has a rare night out and meets a nice guy (Arinze Kene) recently released from prison and has a up and down relationship with her.

Following the trials and tribulations of their relationship with a strong emphasis on Afro-Caribbean culture of Londoners in Camden. A modern urban musical with much local flavour, but the songs are forgettable and the thin plot more than a little dull and tedious, even if it is at least a good looking film.

On paper this film ticks all the boxes, on screen its fantastical execution carries no weight leaving you a little unfazed by all the jazz. Shame, British stories need to stories which transcend but not ones that are poorly tacted on with cheap 'devices'.

I was quite disappointed with this movie. I love Michaela Cole's work because it's always so "straight to the point" and true but this... I get it is a musical, but the music is what makes the movie boring.

The plot is good but not well developed and there are way too many stories happening at the same time. Also, all those stories make no sense and it's hard to find a guiding line that connects all those characters.

However it's beautifully performed and shot. The actors are fabulous and I'm sure if this was on a stage in any theatre I would've loved everything from beginning to end. But the fact it is a film, it fails on transmitting to the viewers the emotion of the characters or the place where those feelings and actions come from.

I had to watch it in "instalments" so I wouldn't lose focus and actually appreciate the story.

It isn't a waste of time to watch if, like me, you pay attention to the performances, storyline or scenery and believe a bad story well performed is better than a great story underperformed.

This is the first work I have seen from director Tinge Krishnan. I will be looking out for more from her.

Based on Ché Walker's stage musical, the film's script does meander a bit, but that's not all bad. The star power of Michaela Coel and Arinzé Kene in the main roles support the core story line, but the sub-plots embellish it, providing depth and context. Love, loss, diversity and community. Great stuff from Ms Krishnan.

With such a great cast it's a shame three couldn't get away from really cheesy lyrics and a trite plot line and random uninteresting plot devices