Making Waves

It's clearly a masterpiece and anyone who thinks otherwise should see me after the film... sublime comedy deep characterisation; walk-on part for the actual Archbish of C (at that time); real Lambeth Palace Grounds (where Archbish lives); That nice bloke who does the older Vet part; good tramp; pathos; possibly bathos also; something for the space geeks; something for the ham radio geeks; the lead actor looks at bit like the guy in 4 wedding; the Rooskie is excellent. Raises an eyebrow towards the more stereotypically stupid antics of feminists while balancing that off against the sometimes blokish awkwardness of, well, blokes (that's 'guys' for any yank readers) around girls. All in all, the word 'honesty' comes to mind, which is a rare event around my neck of the woods.

How refreshing it is to see a great little film about real everyday people facing the dilemmas we are all familiar with, the insecurities, the search for acceptance and the ultimate pursuit of contentment, companionship and love. A great deal sweeter, more satisfying and touching than watching aristocratic baffoons stuck in the, oh so tricky existence of the west London elite! Equally touching is the story behind the film it would seem, I see that the director lost his battle with cancer just a year after shooting was finished never getting to witness his first films release, a real tragedy. He has left behind a debut to relish. Robert Hardy turns in a great performance as always with all the warmth and charm you would expect. Craig Henderson and Susie Benton make a delightful duo, while Tom Bacon, better known for harder, darker roles, makes a hilariously calamitous sidekick. All in all a great ensemble of talent. I highly recommend this little triumph against the odds, an independent British film achieving the release it richly deserves, I guess the industry in the UK isn't dead yet!

I have to admit to being a little sceptical when I first saw this movie - it seemed just a touch unbelievable. But what I found was a film that actually raises an issue that faces many young people today, namely how to meet new people and, possibly, find love in a big city and a lonely old world. Reaching out to new people can be a daunting thing, particularly following the end of a relationship, and how many of us can be said to have tried desperate measures to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right? Is speed-dating or a blind date so different from the ham radio used in this film? So although we may smirk at a seemingly oddball subject matter, this film is in fact a very pertinent and modern look at the search for love and all that that may entail.

Engaging performances by a bunch of up and comers elevate this above and beyond what one expects of it. Kind of a cross between a Richard Curtis comedy and an indie adventure, the story takes place in the wilds of London's Blackheath, and represents it fairly. Although it does serves to show an idealised English community - careening dangerously in the direction of twee at times - it does serve to show that there are difficulties in reaching one to one communications these days. It challenges, though in a view askew, the challenges / solutions provided by mediums like the Internet. Though certainly not as gruesomely as Cronenberg's CRASH :) Saw this at Cannes 2005, and the audience seemed as into it as was I. Ultimately, sweet, and involving, and that Susan Benton. What a treat! More please...

Although the whole radio community stretching to outer space thing could be seen as quite unbelievable (who knows, maybe this goes on!), the characters in making waves were frustrated, yet ultimately honest guys striving to get their break - something that many of us can sympathise with. The slightly off wall backdrop certainly put this film in a separate category to the usual Brit-flick romance films.

I thought that the film flowed in a dream-like manner - by that I mean, once the story started it absorbed you to the very end, and definitely created a feel-good factor. I suppose that there are those who wouldn't like this story - namely pessimists, but for everyone else it's definitely worth it.