It was always the filmmakers intention to give this film the look of a well lit, Hollywood style movie and I must thank them for that because they succeeded in that endeavor. Too often, British films will be poorly lit with blown highlights and detailess shadows and then try to get away with it claiming that it was deliberately done for an artsy look. That fools nobody and the makers of Neils Party are to be commended for paying great attention to this important detail in film-making.
The films storyline will be understood by anyone who can still remember their own 18th year and though it might be predictable at times it succeeds because of strong performances from the young cast. The performances come across as realistic and believable. it doesn't appear forced or over the top.
To use the American vernacular, it's a cute film and a very good first effort for the filmmaker. it brings a new look to a part of Britain that's rarely shown, not the gritty working class landscape nor the affluent manor houses that have become tiresome exports this past decade. Instead, we are treated to a view of life in a rural market town albeit from an area with the highest real estate values in Britain.
