Two Down

Coming into Two Down entirely cold, having not heard of it before and without reading reviews, seeing a trailer or any knowledge about its creators, I got to enjoy a lovely film.

Unmistakeably British from the outset the film is set in London but does nothing to exploit stereotypes or caricature Londoners. Instead it reflects internally on its own characters, some of whom are quite weakly developed but collectively work well together to create a shared atmosphere within the film.

The plot is extremely simple but that's taken as a strength by the film. Rather than create elaborate plot twists and try and shock the viewer the film is relaxed about introducing new elements and information, and does this sufficiently often to keep the film moving. It was noticeable that just as the film lets you settle into 'Ok, this is the situation' it then draws you gently back out of that complacency, forcing your engagement to understand the implications of the latest revelation.

That gentleness underlies everything in the film. Its comedy is quiet and understated, the characters are (mostly) very measured and act with calm intent, and even the action scenes (shoddy though one of them is) are very quick, simple and there only to fill gaps in the story.

This film isn't going to appeal to kids seeking CGI fueled action sequences, expensively shot stunts, blood and gore, sex or ADHD influenced cuts. That's not its audience. Instead it's worth watching Two Down if you like low budget British films, if you like films that aren't afraid to take their time to tell you a story, or if you just want to watch a good film.

I produce, I don't review, but after seeing that there are some obviously malicious and fake (I hate that word at the moment but there it is), reviews about this movie, I had to write what I thought. (It's becoming common practice now and I despise it).

I produce movies in LA and sometimes the UK and have done so for almost 5 decades. So for young filmmakers like these to understand the kind of movies we were doing in the 1970's, but but to set it in present day London, with all kinds of twists, and on what I presume was a small budget, is nothing short of miraculous.

And to those fake reviews who say 'who would have have rated this 10', well look at all the awards and reviews from actual reviewers in publications....lots of people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but this looks like some kind of business plan that some bitter person has paid for.

The script is so well crafted, the acting and direction superb and the music is just spot on. This film is doing very well out there, and for a reason. I can't wait for their next one, which has already been made, so this one can't be that bad otherwise they wouldn't have been given the cash...

You may not love this movie as much as we did, but you're going to like it a lot, I promise. From an old time movie guy, I watched this and had hope from British film again (sorry guys!, but the UK have been having issues recently).... AS

I was part of a jury for a film festival and this film came to us from the U.K a while ago and I was thrilled to watch it. As a jury member you have to watch a lot of films. A lot of films. Most which are OK, but a lot which are not so OK. So when something like this comes along, low budget debut feature, it restores my faith in emerging filmmakers.

The film is 'about' a hit-man who has been injured on a job and makes for a safe house only to find a young woman now living there. She's no damsel in distress, she can look after herself and from the off you wonder if there is something else going on with her. They are then joined by a take out guy, and they spend the evening together getting to know the hit-man and trying to figure out why the job went wrong. I can't say much about the story without giving away huge spoilers as the way the film is done any mention of what's or who's or why's will spoil it for you and that is certainly something I don't want.

The script is excellent, slick, intelligent, funny and really gives the brilliant actors something to work with. It is very well crafted by the director and the storytelling is clear, clever and accomplished without bringing too much attention to itself like so many films do these days. The story and characters are the thing here and he has done everything to make sure it stays that way. A true director.

I read somewhere for the festival that the whole film was shot in 12 days. Once you see the result you will agree with me that that is extraordinary. Lots of indie films are shot quickly due to lack of budget, but they don't come out looking like this.

It is a huge feat the team have pulled off and I urge everyone to see it if they can. Yes it has its flaws, all films do, and I'm sure with more time and money they would have been able to smooth them over, but if this is what is coming out of the UK after a 12 day shoot, we should start taking notice.

I was fortunate to stumble across this at a festival, The Artemis Women in Film Festival in California, and loved every minute of it. As and Englishman living in L.A it was wonderful seeing London again but without the gritty gangster feel that seems to come from most UK films of this sort, nor the glamour that Hollywood tends to see the city through. From the classy opening scene with credits I could see the filmmakers had taken great care to create a film to span decades but set in a modern world. It told me that this was going to be a very well crafted film indeed. And I wasn't disappointed. The script, shots, editing, music is stylish, well thought out and brilliantly executed. And the acting is sublime. Not one bum note in the 88 minutes that the film runs for. The pacing is perfect, allowing us into the strange world of 'John Thomas', a very British joke!, but never feeling as if it should be faster. It's a low budget affair to be sure, but for a debut feature it sings of promise for the filmmakers and I'm intrigued to see where they go from here. Bigger and brighter things I'm sure.

I can't critique a film. All I can say is this was a great watch with twists and turns which made it hugely entertaining. The fact it has a small cast and a smaller budget makes the achievement even more lamentable. Brilliant.