Been So Long

3 stars as it was just watchable, nothing more than this. Non memorable music, which seemed rather pointless in this movie, but without it the movie would be also rather pointless as it is a complete non-story. Some random characters bringing nothing interesting. Watch only if there is nothing else going on in your life at the time.

We nearly gave up on this film after some of the horrendous songs at the start, but we soldiered on. Things improved when the two main characters were allowed to act somewhat naturally, they weren't perfect, but they worked well enough to move things along... until the next awful song. The seemingly random moments that popped up from time to time did add up to a very small something in the end, but not enough to warrant their inclusion - they just stole time from the only slightly interesting part of the story. Anyway, don't give up too quickly, it does improve - just not by much. Without the songs, this may have managed 6/10... as it is, it's an awkward 4.

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.

Really brilliant acting from the whole cast, had some excellent sections in the film but overall it dragged and was a bit directionless.

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.