Bridgend

I watched this film after watching the you tube documentary that involved interviews with the real people involved. One of the boys who later went on to commit suicide and the parents and their feeling. Watching this movie was a complete waste of time. Although there have never been any answers to why this all happened the documentary was far more interesting and moving and thought provoking. Don't waste your time watching the movie.

Thanatos is the drive to death and has often been referred to in recent literature in reference to humanity's drive to self annihilation, faced with seemingly overwhelming social,economic and environmental issues.

Bridgend is its own way taps into this notion. It focuses on a group of young people who seem to have reached the end of hope and view death as their only "accomplishment" in life. Death has a tribal quality, its something that is worshiped as a group and dedication proved by taking life threatening risks, before the final act itself.

The quality of acting is good and the visuals whilst austere, are well rendered and do help infuse the film with a sombre atmosphere. Where this film falls down, for me, is in its story department. Its really difficult to understand what its point is? Indeed, in some respects, it seems rather rhetorical in a rather sad and depressing, way.

In any case, I'll leave it to you to judge the overall worth of this film. Its not for me but that's not to say you might not find something of meaning in its message. Seven out of ten from me.

This is one of those movies that you quite enjoy watching because the acting is good and you want to find out what's going on vis a vis the compelling and suicide-packed plot. Sadly you never do. It becomes increasingly ludicrous without respite. Shame. I thought it was going somewhere...

Such an intense movie with so much hard, darkness and yet it's beautiful in a way that is hard to describe. This movie got under my skin. It is highly recommended.

Bridgend attempts to explore a deeply unsettling real-life tragedy, but despite its eerie atmosphere and strong cinematography, the film struggles to deliver a coherent or impactful narrative. The misty, bleak landscapes perfectly set the tone, and there's an undeniable sense of dread throughout. However, the storytelling feels vague and frustratingly elusive, failing to provide meaningful insight into the tragic events it depicts.

Hannah Murray delivers a committed performance, bringing raw emotion to her role, but the film's repetitive nature and lack of depth make it a difficult watch. Instead of diving into the psychological and societal factors behind the story, it leans too much on mood and abstraction, leaving the audience disconnected rather than immersed.

While the film deserves credit for its ambition and visual aesthetic, it ultimately falls short of being a gripping or thought-provoking experience.