Treading Water

I loved this film. I watched it at the BFI today.

For once, it is not filmed in London but Manchester, The 'Paradise walk' is not what you think it is. Danny's character is so well written and played. Lara, the boys, the counsellors. All the actors are great, filming spot on, funny at time, also quite intense and sad but empathetic and respectful of the people with mental health and drug use issues. Very subtle. Very real. I have worked with drug users in the past and I have found that the film really reflects perfectly how the workers in Rehab Centers are doing such a beautiful job and how they accept that they can not always succeed but they never give up trying. The users are often lovable and interesting and annoyingly childish and unpredictable at the same times. Small budget but it does not feel like it. Hope to see it again in cinemas next year.