Bait

Black and white is back....'Bait' is a fine piece of visually stunning filmwork.....a bloody work of art. It also includes a cast of many first timers that pulled their weight like big Hollywood stars.

A subtle story with a huge message. As a coastal Floridian USA, I know exactly what this film is talking about, only this film says it much better. I'm not even sure I have the intellect or the vocabulary to offer a satisfactory review or critique of this film.

A simple story with complex characters. Dialog is sparse but adequate and spoken visually with few words. The old time black and white ambiance is the perfect foil to portray the flawed nature of character.

A love story shown from many perspectives. A one time fishing village now in flux and weathering out the new reality. A fisherman unwavering and unwilling to change with the times. I widowed father doing what he needs to survive for his son. The city folk looking for peace and quiet weekend. The Inn keepers building a summer business. Teenagers coming to age and looking for relationships and purpose. The bar, and owner at the center of town serving her patrons and trying to stay afloat. They all revolve each other as each character reaches for what they believe is most important. Tragedy strikes and we see what's truly the most important.

This is a must see film and direction, location, content, casting, script, audio, visual, media, production, editing, etc, etc....were all well defined and executed. I rated a 9, excellent, although this type of film might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Bait is a pretty remarkable film. Saw it at the excellent BFI Southbank. It's set in the present day but filmed using techniques from the old silent film era - with sound - including audio - added afterwards. No moving camera. Shot as if the person being spoken to is holding said camera (think Peep Show). Beautiful black and white. It's an extension of the dogme filmmaking mantra. The director is basically sticking two fingers up at CGI and digital technology. And the result is mesmerising. However, would the drama stand up on its own two feet if it were filmed 'conventionally'? To be honest, I doubt it. But I don't think that matters.

Giving a numerical score to a film like this is very difficult because it depends entirely upon what you want from a film like this. As a piece of art this film is a 10 out of 10. The use of a 16mm clockwork camera, bold editing, dubbed dialogue and hand-processing of the film all serve to enhance the themes of the film perfectly (miscommunication, old vs new ways of life, conflict between classes, gentle aggression of gentrification).

Having said that, if you are looking for a film that captivates you with story and plot, look elsewhere. There is a plot and but it serves as something through which to display the technical aspects of the film itself.

It reminded me of short stories by people like Raymond Carver and Flannery O'Connor: there is a lot to chew on but most of the fat lays beneath the surface, as such the film doesn't hold your hand and if you don't tend to consider the technical aspects of film making when sitting down to watch a film, then this probably isn't for you.

I have given this film a 7/10 because I think that is the closest approximation I can give it but pieces of work like Bait serve to further emphasise how reductive rating films numerically is. If you enjoy films that tell low-key, theme rich but action light plots and focus on the technical craft of film-making then I think you will enjoy this. It's only 89 minutes long and there are no other films being made right now like it.

Oh, one titbit, if you aren't accustomed to the Cornish accent, I recommend subtitles if available. Even for UK natives some characters accents may prove too thick to catch every word.

I love the texture in this, every shot is beautifully framed. A recent film, using old techniques (shot on 18mm).

Shot and edited by Mark Jenkin. All of the sound is done in Post-production. So much effort behind this, and it looks amazing.

... and the anger and the rage and the torment, in this exquisitely crafted modern day masterpiece whose tale mimics that of so many misplaced traditions and the voids they leave behind as they sink to the bottom of the briny. With outstanding cinematography and performances to boot - filmed in black & white, this is anything but monochrome.