A Landscape of Lies - Directors Cut

I enjoy a crime mystery and was drawn to this more because of the crime that took place with the fat cats behind it than the one in the plot yet that doesn't change the fact this film is alright for what it is.

It's a low budget, student type indie film, some never was actors and soon to be z listers, a few cars, a few girls, a couple of nice ups and downs and a turn by TV presenter and ex weather girl Andrea Mclean. It's not my usual watch however this was half decent.

80% of the cast turned up and gave a believable performance, the edit seems a little whacked in places. I see this is now titled a director's cut so maybe that is why. Considering the court case and documentary I have to give it up for the team for pushing forward with this.

It is not fantastic but if you watch it for what it is you may walk away from it now feeling like you just lost 90mins of your life.

It's always good to step back from the Hollywood mainstream 'money is no issue movies' and watch a movie made on a low budget with a lot of passion.

The writer/director has been very public about the goings on behind the scenes so I know how much hard work went into this project and the crazy £3.000.000 Tax fraud story that overshadowed the debut film from Andrea Mclean of 'Loose Women' fame.

Looking passed the low budget and some wooden acting by a couple of the cast this was an enjoyable watch with an interesting story.

I caught this film a while back and stripping it of all the negativity the press gave it due mainly to the crooked producers behind this film, I thought this was a brave move and simply ahead of it's time in terms of themes and issues it addresses.

It is a heavily led female film, a black male lead and not one stereotype in sight. It is clever, well-paced story that belies the limited budget and nonsense that was taking place BTS.

The one person who should be praised, aside from the director whose story has been covered worldwide, is that of Loose Woman Andrea McLean in her debut outing as an actress, tacking things clearly outside of her comfort zone and tackling them well. She gave an excellent performance and I applaud her in her choices here - a far cry from the Miss Goodie Two-Shoes she is in real life.

The film has its flaws, but the acting isn't one of them. Productions values are high and the plot twists hold you right till the very end scene.

Don't believe the media slurs and watch this little gem for yourselves. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.

Why this didn't get a wide release amazes me. Just the fact that all round good girl Andrea McLean has a leading role in this should have gotten the TV treatment at least. As is I saw this on VOD and have to say was happily surprised by the fact this was way above the usual Brit indie stuff that that seems to get far more attention. Not your typical lads film, in fact this is girl power front and center with a lot of before they were famous faces.

After watching it I did find myself googling and read what went on behind the scenes. I feel for all the cast and crew and especially the writer director Paul Knight. All those efforts discarded to make way for the headlines of the 5 producers who committed tax fraud.

The story is thought provoking, the twists and turns keep it interesting. There are a couple of duff actors in it and the low budget restrictions are apparent in a few scenes but that does not stop it from not being a chore to sit through.

I would recommend this film if you are a huge Loose Women fan, soap fan or just like films that will make you talk about it afterwards for days to come. Not one that will be forgotten quickly.

I love my horror but I do dip my toes in other genres, thrillers are one of them and psychological thrillers are even better which I thought this was. There are some messed up people in it for sure but it is more drama than thriller.

Some decent little ticks, a little blood, no nudity, some swearing - tame to what I was hoping but that doesn't take away from the fact this ain't a bad movie.

Good acting, good story, dialogue is funny in places, cringy in others, production values look good, the women in this are fine. This treads almost like a chick flick for todays audience which is modern for a film made almost a decade ago.

Not the worst thing I have ever sat through.