Someone Else

This Film appealed to me because it starred one of the favourites in Green Wing, and I suppose it's good that I gave it a go. Basically thirty-something David (Stephen Mangan) is a portraits photographer at a high-street photo studio, and when he isn't working he is stressing over his love life. He is torn between rather-too-agreeable girlfriend Lisa (Susan Lynch), and the exciting but tricky Nina (Lara Belmont), and has to make a serious decision of which to be with. It is when he gets it all wrong and loses both he has to start all over again. Also starring EastEnders' Chris Coghill as Matt, Shaun Dingwall as Michael, John Henshaw as Paul, Lydia Piechowiak as Stephanie, Lydia Fox as Matt's girl, Bridget Fry as Jane, Frank Perozo as Alex and a cameo appearance by Neville Bardoliwalla as Freddie Mercury. This was meant to be a romantic comedy drama, however I found it more drama filled on the whole. The film has a lot of appeal and is worth watching.

Patrick Smith (Culture Editor) -The Independent

There's a saying, when you are in a relationship, it is still OK to, 'look at the scenery.' There is perhaps an irresistible human urge, especially in the male that is genetically programmed to sow his oats as wide as possible, at least to consider how green the grass might be when it is just out of reach. But if that sounds like an apologia to male chauvinism, Someone Else is every girl's dream for the warning shot to make him count his blessings. British romantic comedy with a hard edge.

Dave and Lisa have been in a relationship for nearly three years. Over dinner, their two married friends tease them about tying the knot and Dave is visibly less comfortable than is Lisa. He and Nina have been having an affair and, when pushed, Dave decides to own up to Lisa and tell her he is love with someone else. Although Lisa is furious, Dave is even less prepared for Nina's reaction. She is everything his girlfriend isn't - did he expect any less? What makes Someone Else stand out is the unsettling realism of the characters and a script that sounds spontaneous and natural. Dave's plight is guaranteed to make every man in the audience feel sheepishly uncomfortable, and there are no reassuringly sentimental story lines. The ensemble cast of attractive young 30-somes is frighteningly unlike the stock caricatures of romantic comedy and, as Dave's confidence and charm desert him, the film is a challenging broadside to the male psyche. It marks a debut for director and scriptwriter Col Spector - one that he handles with considerable aplomb. It also manages to take a cynical look at Reiki healing, swinging, and dating agencies - though not without reversing many of our assumptions in the light of later developments. " 'I like any sort of music' . . . " reads David from a girl's dating profile, "she's got one album, 'The Best of Music.' " This beautiful bittersweet comedy is unafraid to tackle taboos and unrelenting in its exposure of men's hidden thoughts. It keeps us on our toes as we are never quite sure of the direction it is going in i.e. The movie has it's quirky moments for example when Neville Bardoliwalla pops up unexpectedly as Freddie Mercury during a photo shoot scene!

Review Courtesy of Sir Neville Cawas Cyrus Bardoliwalla OBE

I saw this late at night on BBC, tuned in and it was about ten minutes in but i sat and watched the rest because i'm a big fan of Stephen Mangan (responsible for one of the greatest one-off characters on British TV, 'Dan' in I'm Alan Partridge).

Considering the low budget this is a really great film with a good cast and nice dialogue and i thoroughly enjoyed it. It should strike a chord with anyone who has made a regrettable decision in their life or is a bit 'lost'. It has some funny moments, some cringy moments and some real heart wrenching moments.. mostly because the main character is really likable (even if a little self involved) and you really want to see him find whatever he's looking for in the end.. you'll have to watch to find out if he does or not..

P.s. his boss Paul played by John Henshaw adds some much needed comic relief as does his almost infuriatingly deadpan best friend Matt...

There's a saying, when you are in a relationship, it is still OK to, 'look at the scenery.' There is perhaps an irresistible human urge, especially in the male that is genetically programmed to sow his oats as wide as possible, at least to consider how green the grass might be when it is just out of reach. But if that sounds like an apologia to male chauvinism, Someone Else is every girl's dream for the warning shot to make him count his blessings. British romantic comedy with a hard edge, Someone Else is a remarkable example of what fine talent can do on a tiny budget.

Dave and Lisa have been in a relationship for nearly three years. Over dinner, their two married friends tease them about tying the knot and Dave is visibly less comfortable than is Lisa. He and Nina have been having an affair and, when pushed, Dave decides to own up to Lisa and tell her he is love with someone else. Although Lisa is furious, Dave is even less prepared for Nina's reaction. She is everything his girlfriend isn't - did he expect any less? What makes Someone Else stand out is the unsettling realism of the characters and a script that sounds spontaneous and natural. Dave's plight is guaranteed to make every man in the audience feel sheepishly uncomfortable, and there are no reassuringly sentimental story lines. The ensemble cast of attractive young 30-somes is frighteningly unlike the stock caricatures of romantic comedy and, as Dave's confidence and charm desert him, the film is a challenging broadside to the male psyche. It marks a début for director and scriptwriter Col Spector - one that he handles with considerable aplomb. It also manages to take a cynical look at Reiki healing, swinging, and dating agencies - though not without reversing many of our assumptions in the light of later developments. " 'I like any sort of music' . . . " reads David from a girl's dating profile, "she's got one album, 'The Best of Music.' " This beautiful bittersweet comedy is unafraid to tackle taboos and unrelenting in its exposure of men's hidden thoughts. It keeps us on our toes as we are never quite sure of the direction it is going in. Perhaps the biggest disappointment with Someone Else is that it never quite makes the lasting impact that it so deserves.