The Truth

I saw this film on its opening night and had high hopes after seeing the trailer, and knowing that it had a very strong British cast. I wasn't disappointed. A cross between a black comedy, and a murder mystery, this typifies what independent films are about. It tells the story of a group of people who go to a self help therapy break at a Lodge hosted by Donna (the excellent Elizabeth McGovern). During this break the question of telling the truth is asked. Many of these people have issues and are urged to confront the Truth. I wont give much away because its better to urge you to go an see the film. It has very funny moments, and also some poignant moments.

All in all a brilliant film, with an excellent cast. Surely the best independent film of the year.

This black comedy set in the Highlands of Scotland may well slip by unnoticed in the cinema (and sadly, only gained a limited release in the UK) but it is well worth seeing.

Essentially it is an ensemble piece and unlike most ensemble films it works surprisingly well. All of the casting is spot on, but it's carried along with a great scary, starey performance from Elizabeth McGovern as Donna, an American psycho-babble New Age guru offering seven specimens of the weak and weird a philosophy of sorts to cling to.

The film effectively and ferociously attacks New Age airhead bullshit and you love to hate McGovern's appalling glib nonsense and insensitivity, and side with the wonderfully stroppy Candy (Elaine Cassidy). Yet no-one here gets away unsoiled by Donna's controlling influence.

On the surface this is black comedy with few laugh out loud jokes but an even and regular series of sniggers and shocks at the brazen (but actually almost credible) compromises that this lot of needy retreat attendees are willing to make. Underneath there is a genuine and surprisingly fresh examination of the nature of right and wrong and a whodunit to carry you through a running time that is too long for the material.

The film reminds me of David Mackenzie's film, "The Last Great Wilderness", which mines similar territory in both geography and storyline. However writer/director George Milton's "The Truth" is a much better and more rounded experience - and somewhat of a miracle on a budget that was reputedly minuscule. Milton is well worth watching for the future and his "Truth" is a sleeper destined for DVD cult status if ever there was one.

The Truth is a very clever dark comedy. So clever that it isn't at all easy to adjust to - for the first few minutes you'll stare blankly at the screen, unsure what to make of it: The Truth is a real mush-mash of genres and styles. But once it gets going, it isn't at all bad.

The Truth starts as a satire of spiritual self-help retreats. The characters - an eclectic mix including wheelchair bound Candy and Croatian refugee Mia - attend Donna's 'course' at a house set deep in the Scottish Highlands. The movie gradually explores their dark secrets, managing to make some quite challenging situations entertaining. Of course it is only a matter of time before someone turns up dead...

I thought The Truth should have been about five minutes shorter. The end doesn't fit with the tone of the rest of the movie. But perhaps it was never supposed to. Maybe The Truth is just too clever for its audience?

The brilliantly stark backdrop to this movie is mirrored by an intelligently dark script. But it's the clever sprinklings of light relief that make this film so watchable. William Beck as Scott is the real star performer, effortlessly transforming a turn of phrase into all-out comedy. But the whole ensemble earn their spurs, turning a story that teeters on the edge of believability into a thoroughly plausible and engaging yarn.

As British independents go, this is a good one. In true Brit flick style, rather than pandering to Hollywood, it pokes fun at it, to hilarious effect courtesy of a great turn by Elizabeth McGovern as the Zen-aware Donna. But rather than simply joining the bandwagon, it actually contrives to give it a knowing nod, before going on to develop in its own unique way.

All in all, this is well worth a visit to the cinema, so get out there and support new British talent!

The Truth's British production and low budget is inherent in this quirky murder mystery set in the remote Scottish Highlands.

Verging between cringe comedy ala "The Office" and the dry humour of "Life Aquatic..." this film makes good use of the "Guru course" comedy vehicle to end up with a strange yet oddly entertaining result.

As well as spending half the film trying to remember which TV programmes you recognise the cast from, the murder mystery slowly reveals itself as each character's true self emerges.

Unfortunately some of the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, such as Spud, with their individual problems and their resolutions tacked on in a last minute hurry.