Life Just Is

Ironically this is the opening line of Alex Barrett's directorial debut "Life Just Is." Ironic, because that was exactly my feelings as I thankfully exited the cinema on the movie's debut at the Edinburgh International Film Festival an hour ago. It's trying to be a Hal Hartleyesque slice of modern London Life. It's trying to reflect the ebb and flow of post University existence amongst a group of token flatmates and pals (a la This Life). I mean really; A black guy, a gay guy, an existentialist "nutter", a pretty posh girl and a Northern Irish lass that doesn't have to confidence to exist and is going to hell and back in a relationship with her new and much older boyfriend. Does that tick enough boxes? I say it's trying to be these things, but all it is trying. It's turgid, tormenting, tumescent tosh.

Really it is.

Pretentious doesn't even begin to describe how, err, pretentious this movie is.

The acting is at times naturalistic but more often than not simply wooden.

The camera work is so slow that on occasions you wonder if you're actually watching the rushes.

There are many scenes of Tom (Nathaniel Martello-White) walking to work so slowly that you wonder if he's actually disabled only to realise he has to walk that slowly so that the dolly can keep up with him.

Avoid this boring self-indulgent claptrap at all costs.

A recent trend that seems overused in films is the creation of scripts with groups of people who are friends but have no business being friends in the first place. In other words, when you think about these characters, they simply have nothing in common and are more clichés or formulaic than realistic people. This isn't just true in comedies like the "Hangover" or "Bridesmaids" films but in dramas as well, such as in the new British indie film Life Just Is-- where there are many of the usual formulaic characters (such as the gay character, the black character, etc.) but you keep wondering why they spend time together. And, by the end of the movie, I was still wondering. Why be friends with someone you don't like or someone who treats you terribly?!

This film written and directed by Alex Barrett starts off on an inauspicious note. As four friends are watching some movie, it concludes and one of them says "Well that's an hour and a half of my life I won't get back". Then a couple more friends are soon introduced. Soon after this, you learn that one of their acquaintances has died and the way these mostly 20-somethings respond to this is what makes up the remainder of the film. In many ways, it's a bit like "The Big Chill"...but without the music (in fact, there isn't any and this is very noticeable) or the energy. But it's also much talkier--with folks mostly sitting around talking and talking and talking. This, combined with the low energy make this a difficult film to watch or even finish.

So is the film worth seeing? Probably not unless you are extremely patient. Oddly, I looked through the reviews for this on IMDb and noticed that folks either gave it a 1 or 9 or higher. I wouldn't be nearly as harsh or as glowing and I really do wonder about both sorts of reviews--especially the 9s and 10s. I'd give this one a D+. I certainly wouldn't rush to see it but also saw some promise and hope that the filmmakers and actors use this experience as a springboard to greater things.

The opening scene of 'Life Just is' features four characters watching a film. When it finishes, one of them moans "That's ninety minutes I'll never get back". Like markgorman elsewhere in these reviews, I know how he feels! A group of London twentysomething house-sharers navigate their way through adult life. There's the token black character, the statutory Irish character, the gay character, the non-conformist character in amusing trousers, etc - all the stereotypes present and correct! One of them is having an affair with an older man (he's 34); one is concerned that a strange man he sees on his walk to work might be a terrorist; one is trying to decide whether or not to be religious... all this could be interesting, but is ruined by stilted conversations, lengthy pointless shots of people sitting staring into space or eating breakfast, etc. I hate to be so negative, but this really needed some quality control. Heaven only knows what well-known actor Paul Nicholls is doing in it - I can only assume he lost some sort of bet.

it took me a little bit to get into the movie, but once I did I really enjoyed it. it does an excellent job of capturing the turmoil of being twenty-something -- the confusion, the struggle to "figure it all out." you really find yourself connecting with the characters in unique ways. the dialogue, while it felt a bit scripted at times, is delivered well by actors who seem more experienced than their ages. Pete in particular did a wonderful job. Each of the characters has their own unique struggle throughout the film -- I find something new to connect with each time I watch it. there's something for everyone in this movie and I will definitely be recommending it to friends. I really enjoyed the symbolism throughout the film -- Pete's and Tom's experiences in particular really struck me.

I went to see this film last week not knowing what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised.

Life Just Is tells the tale of five twenty-somethings who, having recently graduated, struggle to adapt or even understand their new adult lives. Each one has to face a different reality and dilemmas that life throws at them. The dialogue has far more depth than it may seem, as our five protagonists discuss life's great mysteries, as death and religion. Relationships, racism and anxiety are also themes tackled by story, sometimes in subtle strokes that give the film a clever plot. The characters are compelling and easy to identify with, as the cast are packed with talented young actors.

The look may seem simplistic to the untrained eye, but it is clear that Alex Barrett put much thought on the natural light and framing. You can feel the influence of directors as diverse as Mike Leigh and Kevin Smith, as Barrett makes a well structured story seem easy and down to earth. The exploration of one's early adult life is not taken lightly, although the film is filled with some very funny jokes.

Made under a micro budget, it is a triumph of independent British cinema. No wonder it got a Michael Powell nomination for Best British Film. I would definitely recommend it.