Hi-Lo Joe

The acting is terrible and the camera work gave me motion sickness. The characters, all completely unlikeable, didn't appeal at all so was unable to feel any empathy. The 'funny' bits just aren't funny but truly irritating. The only positive to be taken from it if I'm being very generous is that it attempts to put the subject of depression in young men under a spotlight, so admirable intentions at least. Unfortunately it comes off like a very ambitious sixth form/university project.

Sadly over time in Hollywood there's been such a stereotype levied at people with mental health issues by films such as Gilbert Grape, Rain Man et al. That there is this expectation of a big showy performance demonstrating mental illness all the way through. Whereas for something like bi-polar as tackled with honestly from the deft hand of director Kermack the actuality is they can go from entirely normal to be long so manic to the point of extreme irritation and pushing you away but yet you'll never not love them. And then there are the extreme downs following the mania.

As someone that has a family member that suffers from this I would like say a thank you to the filmmakers for making such an honest and moving portrayal. Kermack also gets superb central performances from his two leads creating a deeply affecting and moving love story set to the back drop of mental illness.