If you managed to get here or at least into knowing the film is probably because you're a great fan of the once and future king Arthur from "Merlin" series, Mr. Bradley James. Reason enough I must say.
In "Portobello 196" James plays a musician who is more concerned about his music or something else than with his own girlfriend (Marem Hernandez) and after an argument he decides to walk around, run away from the heavy environment his small apartment is (the one from the title) and try to forget the hard talk that just happened. He can't forget the words, the complaints of his girlfriend on his lack of attention for her. It all changes when he stumbles on an ODing girl, he calls an ambulance that arrives in time and then takes her to his home. The last action will prove to be life changing.
Story is simple although painfully and amateurishly acted by everyone involved (even Bradley I'm afraid but he's the best in scene), the short film gets brilliantly interesting with its terrific and surprising blow. That I didn't saw it coming.
"Portobello 196" is a story about little wake up calls we all have (if we're smart enough to see it), accidents that modifies us for good and make us set priorities, look back and see how lucky we were and we failed to realize that. I hope I left you wondering what kind of event would change a person's life. Well, see it and discover. 6/10
