The Brink

Really good for a low budget movie. The acting was professional and the screenplay was smart and polished. I am particular about the logic in a movie and this one had little or no plot holes, better than a lot of big budget movies.

At the start, I thought it was another very low budget plinky piano miserable student art project.

As the story developed the film showed great promise and while it did not deliver what it should, it is still worth a watch.

The good things - story, decent enough script (although does has some pretty poor monologues)

The bad things - poor acting, poor dialogue, set dressing far too tidy and did I mention the poor acting?

Give it a go. You might be surprised.

The idea on paper for this film, whilst not exactly original, is pretty sound. Loner in post apocalyptic world teams up with people to fight violent cannibalistic and women raping gangs. The problem is that it's just far too long and the end doesn't really give any satisfaction, it just sort of turns up.

Made on a shoestring budget using real-life abandoned locations in the main works brilliantly so kudos to the production team.

The acting by the main players is pretty competent, but felt often too understated given the world they're inhabiting. The script didn't help with some monologues that did sound way too scripted if you all get what I mean. Almost like a play, where one character says their thing then stops and then the next character says their bit. All too theatrical sounding. However I do think a few of the cast probably deserve and will go on to bigger things.

Other issues for me included considering this is a world without any of the things we are all used to - running water, plentiful food, proper healthcare etc. Everyone looks far too healthy - all perfect teeth, nobody particularly malnourished, and well groomed. The women in this film clearly have either a supply of razors and depilatory cream, or there's a post apocalyptic waxing salon somewhere in Bedfordshire! The character The Wife is even more groomed with perfect corkscrew curls in her hair.. Did she raid a branch of Boots for styling products before the world fell apart?!

I do think for a low budget Sci fi movie this isn't totally awful but probably could have done with shaving about 30 minutes off the whole thing to make it tighter. If they'd have done that, even with all the other limitations I'd have said this film is good-ish rather than mediocre.

Although I only gave this a 5, I think this deserves respect for the pure dedication with who hit was made. It was clearly a project that was undertaken with passion and vision. The acting was decent in the main, and although the pacing was a little slow, I think this is clearly an indication of a film crew with future potential. Actors and directors. I appreciated it, thanks guys.

Considering the budget for the entire film was half a milkshake & stale bag of chips, the producer, actors, wardrobe, sets....hell the whole team did quite well. Yes it did carry on a little too long in parts, but overall what I liked about it was that it was as close to realistic as you could imagine it to be. Good effort team!