The Toll

Really enjoyed this eccentric story which uses the Welsh landscape to great effect - creating a storyline that moves along but that feels imbued with a languorous quality. The cast was fantastic, particularly loved Annes Elwy.

If you like quirky and off beat I'd highly recommend.

I have no idea why this film has been rated so low, 5.5 stars. Personally I thought that the actors were all good, the set pieces funny and the story an interesting divergence from the usual boredom that is life in Wales. I wasn't blown away by the comedy but I did get a good few laughs, my big hangup would be the soundtrack although, I'm sure this film was working with a tight budget and it gets the job done. I liked the camera work, the cinematography was excellently done and while I think that the story may not be everyone's cup of tea it is good. When watching the film you can pick out the inspirations the director and screen writer had. Namely I would guess Tarantino, Edgar Wright and Wes Anderson, also possibly Monty Python. I don't think the film hits the same heights as it's contemporaries but still it is enjoyable. I reluctantly live in Wales so perhaps that is why I got the humour and it just doesn't translate well over seas, either way I can see myself watching this film again in the future.

7/10 but could be pushed to an 8 on further viewings.

Enjoyed this film, which is clearly shot on a limited budget, with a small cast who were all excellent.

It manages to tell an interesting story set within some well shot Welsh scenery and it kept me watching to the end. If you want an action film this clearly isn't the film for you but as a small scale character piece with some humour then I'd give this a try. Kind of in a similar vein to Restless Natives if anyone reading this remembers that film.

I struggled with 'The Toll' for the first half hour or so as I found the plot to be muddled and all over the place. Gradually though things fell into place and made some kind of sense. At times this movie tries way too hard to be quirky and the influence from other movies is blatantly obvious. 'Fargo', 'Pulp Fiction' and any spaghetti western you care to mention spring to mind. Elements of Tarantino. Guy Ritchie and Sergio Leonne are so obvious that it can detract from the overall impact of this movie.

I did enjoy it though, especially after the first half of the movie. Yes, it does try too hard to be clever, but it is worth a watch.

This movie was made by a Welsh lover of Quentin Tarantino and Ennio Morricone, unfortunately having the talent of neither; although it was enjoyable in parts, it felt like an extended sunday night TV programme, rather than a movie. One comment I will make is to the reviewer who doesn't understand the need for subtitles. Most foreigners, including Americans can't understand UK accents or keep up with our pace of speech.