Coma Girl: The State of Grace

I have watched "Coma girl" several times with family and I continue to share it with friends around me because the film is truly enjoyable. "Coma girl" contains both quality content and script. Not only was the story top-notch, but it was saturated with non-traditional, innovative story-telling. "Coma girl" contained a refreshing blend of down-to-earth real life conflicts complemented by a fantasy-esquire delivery. For example, throughout the film, the Fury delivers insightful commentary, depicting the main character's inner critic, which even in its absurdity was completely true to life. The movie also accomplished a delightful balance between depth and comic relief. The drama lead's viewers through both a serious confrontation of life's downs while give glimpses of the humor that comes along with suffering. Overall, "Coma Girl" offered both a meaningful and upbeat take on the complicated journey of self- discovery. KUDOS!!!

Well, that's seven or so minutes of my life I'm never getting back...Seven minutes was more than sufficient to gauge just how truly awful this strange little film is. Now don't get me wrong - I love offbeat, quirky films and shows. I love 90's British comedies of this ilk, which I'm referencing because Coma Girl desperately tries to replicate the zany offbeat-ness of Spaced, Pulling and Black Books etc...But sadly this production falls short. Very short.

The plot centres around frumpy Grace, whose movements are being trailed by what one can only assume is a GCSE student filming with their dad's 80's camcorder. I was shocked to discover the production was only filmed in 2005 - the look and feel is more tacky early 90s. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, Grace is disgruntled about her friend moving out of their flat, before proceeding to meet another friend in a "cafe". I say "cafe" because the establishment resembles what one can only assume is the producer's living room.

Serving frumpy Grace and her equally wooden friend is a vaguely familiar-looking actor who thinks he's Brian Topp from Spaced. "Ara-beeka coffee" he repeats several times, desperately latching onto this quip in the hope it will momentarily pique the audience's attention just a few moments longer (at least for his brief scene) before they switch off entirely. And you know what? He succeeded.

A true original. Hilarious and profound in equal measure. This is a simple story, well told. A writer myself, I know how hard this is to attain. The listed budget is a shocker yet, despite the lack of funds, the filmmakers achieved something truly heartfelt and genuine. Why, oh why doesn't the British Film Industry fund these true artists instead of throwing money down the drain on the usual Brit-flick fare? Too often I see talentless schlock with flashy editing used to cover over the drivel of a script and the tragically wooden actors. Not so with Coma Girl! My only criticism is the length: I wanted more. This is a film both my wife and I and also my two kids, 13yrs & 18yrs, love. We have watched it a number of times together. This film is evidence of a fresh new talent on the horizon. Could she be the female Woody Allen? It's about time she came along.