Away

Life is anything but fun in Blackpool,"the Vegas of the North", for the wildly different leading characters in this roller-coaster story of unlikely friendship. Seedy, middle-aged Joseph (Timothy Spall) and tarty teenage Ria (Juno Temple) are both in pain, seeking escape amongst the neon lights and seagulls. His unwilling response to her emotional need turns into recognition that he likes her and that their conditions are similar, leading to a shocking, very moving climax. Spall's curmudgeon is a bit overdone and unintelligible at times; Temple is convincing as the hard-shelled victim of 21st century drug culture, and their interplay is delightful to watch. This is a poignant, entertaining drama reminiscent of classic British films such as "Poor Cow" and "Up the Junction" but with a modern edge. Terrific music too!

I saw this film at the Edinburgh film festival and it was fantastic. The two main leads are incredible and the relationship they have is very believable. It's a film about love (platonic) and hope. It's gritty, funny and may reduce you to tears, but you just can't stop watching. I loved the way the story is not told in a linear fashion so it's not until the end that you know everything that's happened which keeps you interested and guessing about what draws and binds the leads together. The film had an excellent response from audiences at Edinburgh. If you fancy a break from all the blockbusters and want to watch an intelligent, brilliant film, definitely give this a try.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. In today's continuously challenging world , it hit some very strong chords with me. So often new films today seem to have little to say, often the same old story lines with slight twists. However, this really got me thinking about life, it's complexities and the reality of the difficulties so many people face. Life's journey is never simple, and every so often a film is released that captures something special ...I think it will be very popular, especially with people who enjoy films that have more to them than the basic Hollywood stuff...some seriously good acting, and music fab.actually the music was superb! The story line has the ability to remind one that ,although you may have your own issues and challenges, you are not alone. In today's environment so many people face daily survival and this film reminded me , there are many in the same boat. I think it's a must see ,and is a film one could watch more than once to really capture its powerful symbolism .

Spall has lost his wife and can't cope and Temple is on the run from her violent boyfriend. An unlikely friendship develops.

Absorbing and convincing drama brought well to land through fine performances by both the leads, particularly Temple who's eyes cut right through you and a strong script

Not sure I wholly bought the ending, but I'll live with it.

North western England, young Ria (Temple) runs away from an abusive man with his stash of cocaine. She hides out in Blackpool hoping to find a way to sell the stash so she and her best friend can get on with their lives away from drugs and abuse. There she meets Joseph (Spall), a run down older man who has only thoughts of killing himself because of something in his recent past. The two bond, they somehow feel safe with one another. Inevitably the abuser Dex (Ryan) finds out where she is and it comes to a showdown on the shores of Blackpool.

This was a good story, not fully original but everyone who makes one of these puts their own spin on it. I hadn't heard of any of the actors but not surprising as it is a British film and that certainly didn't stop me from watching it. The film moved along a bit slow at first and I kept getting a bit confused with all the flashbacks that were happening and there were a lot of them. Closer to the end the flashbacks started making sense.

No CGI here, wasn't needed and if there were I certainly couldn't see it. It was just a story about drugs and abuse and two opposites who form an unlikely friendship. It was enjoyable and emotional, I likely won't see it twice but I'm not sorry I watched it.