Shell

A lonely existence in an isolated spot, looking after an introverted epileptic father.

In spite of the minimalistic tone both in terms of story, scenery and characters a good job has been done in terms of narrating the story of a father and a daughter in this seemingly isolated existence. What would have probably been intolerable for most, these two souls do not seem to mind, nor looking for a change in their situation. They have a close bond that surpasses everything and ties them together and to that place.

The raggedly beautiful backdrop of the windy Scottish Highlands adds a pleasant variance to the ambiance of this story.

A great thing about "Shell" is that the girl in the epicentre despite the remoteness in which she leaves she is popular among clients, some of whom openly express their feelings but it does not change her nor makes her full of herself. She always remains the girl at the gas station.

A let down is the prevailing sense of misery that seems to be the norm in most of modern British cinema.

Despite its contained nature, this is a careful and well exposed character study.

I came across this film via MyFlixer. I'm always attracted to the alternatives of life. This seemed like a indie cinema creation. The film itself was dark, broody and disturbing. It gave me some hope in the days of loneliness and covid 24/7 brainwashing. I liked the main character. She is stuck in her Dad's vortex of a petrol station. The blokes that patronise the petrol station, do so out of a fancy for her. The electricity between her and her old man is weird and desperate at the same time. There's not much conversation here, it's all said in the lack of conversation. A daughter imprisoned by her epileptic patriarch. A touchy and difficult subject matter that she manages to escape after the main event. I liked it, it had all the darkness and desolation of any good British Film. It's worth your time, but don't expect much joviality.

I loved this film from the moment I read the Synopsis.

I need to figure out where this was actually filmed as the roads are spectacular and look like they make for some nice driving. The petrol Station is very cute indeed.

For me the weather and remoteness of the location made the whole film for me, it gave the impression of a great desperateness and struggle against the cold which seemed to parallel the emotions portrayed by all of the characters.

A few nice cars on show too including a very tidy "Q" plated Series II Land Rover Pickup kitted out with Recover Gear, and a very tidy 1976 Fiesta XR2i which appears to have been borrowed from a member of highlandoldskoolfords.co.uk

Watch out for an appearance from Michael Smiley (known more for his role as Benny in Luther) as Hugh a lonely regular who becomes a bit too close for comfort at times

Sparse but beautiful film about the difficulties of emotional connection and loneliness in a place with few people; set in the Scottish Highlands. Chloe Pirrie is very good as the teenager who is oppressed by the weight of need - her own need for connection, and the needs of others which are placed upon her. This film says more in 90 minutes than many others do in a much longer time.

I just watched the Film Shell by Scott Graham on Film Four. Early on in the film the father has an epileptic fit and the daughter puts a rag of some sort in his mouth. This is of course against known medical advice and has not been advised for about 20 years !

In a later scene nearer the end of the film she puts her hand in his mouth, again no reason.

My main worry is that people will see the film and then put a cloth in my mouth the next time I have a seizure or someone Else's. This is very dangerous as you can choke on it and it restricts your breathing as well; plus you don't know what is on the cloth / rag. Lying on his side and not calling an ambulance was right, no injuries so just leave him to recover. But don't 'assault' him with oily rags, I'm amazed he didn't choke to death !

Well done to Scott for showing a character with epilepsy, but lets not make things worse for people who have seizures?

The film was okay, a bit bland and slow, boring really, I was side tracked at the start by the old fashioned idea of stuffing rags into peoples mouths - horrible.