phillamg

Over nearly a decade of seeing films at the EIFF you naturally come across some bad films. Cherry Tree Lane falls into the category below that, the one were referring to it as "film" is an insult to other films. In short the whole "film" is a padding out of a 5 minute scene from a drama club or the like that doesn't even manage to make a full 90 minutes (estimated 75 minutes). The dialogue could easily have been improvised by the very young cast and the only directing tricks Paul seems so posses is ultra close-ups or foreground-object whilst we watch the scene in the background.

Leaving the second screening the audience were shocked at how bad the film was and for the second half, people were laughing at moments of apparent tension due to the complete lack of any substance or idea. The most laughable thing of all is this was actually up for the Audience Award! With one exception this is quite possibly the worst British film ever made (the worst being The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael).

Based on a previous review here suggesting that fans of The Ring would like this I went to see Shelter and I think the previous advice needs more clarification. If you liked The Ring then yes, you'll probably like this. If however you thought The Ring had pointless cut aways and sudden close-ups just to try to build tension or make you jump, then you will be as equally frustrated with this film. Still in the latter group, I would assume that you loved Ringu and therefore you will appreciate the story this film is trying to tell despite the occasional ham-fisted way it goes about presenting it.

Jonathan (male lead) is really quite good, although Julianne comes across far too much as if she has been cast as Dana Scully. In truth this whole film would have been more believable if this had of been the story line for the X Files 2 movie. Knowing that going in will probably help get past the weird opening 30 minutes where it swings from place to place until we settle on the story it is wanting to tell. Despite the plot holes and some questionable decisions by the characters, I did leave the film feeling pleased and positive about the whole experience.

Just finished with this at the EIFF. Sadly the story was a bit too obvious. If you've seen any form of Sci-Fi before, then 30 minutes in to this film you'll have most of this story worked out, and 45 minutes you'll have it all worked out. In fact, there is nothing in this story (or the imagery for that matter) that hasn't been done in the TV Comedy series Red Dwarf. It ends up feeling like a straight version of "the best of Red Dwarf".

Sam Rockwell does put in a very good performance but that is the only high point. The directing is straight-forward and the dialogue is nothing-special. This is not to say that it's a bad film, it just that the main focus in this film, the plot, is unlikely to keep anyone enthralled. By the end you just want to know if you've guessed the specific number correct (I'll leave that comment vague!).