It's within the power of filmmakers to affect our emotions and here, the uncomfortable discomfort felt, watching the relationship of two best friends crumble, under the saddest of scenarios, is nailed with two sublime female performances - in fact, the whole cast of ladies is superb!
11 Reviews
Gritty gals
kevin c16 January 2021
Movie night with Iris.
Debut from writer-director Fyzal Boulifa documents irresponsible parenting and its catastrophic results. However, of greater interest is the haste and heartlessness of the judgements which follow, with vilification spreading through a working-class community like a virus.
Filmed in nearby Harlow shot in a narrow frame Essex, you feel as trapped as the estate protagonists. Lynn + Lucy is a thought-provoking, worthy watch that asks us to see the human beings behind the horor headlines and consider the consequences of our words.
Debut from writer-director Fyzal Boulifa documents irresponsible parenting and its catastrophic results. However, of greater interest is the haste and heartlessness of the judgements which follow, with vilification spreading through a working-class community like a virus.
Filmed in nearby Harlow shot in a narrow frame Essex, you feel as trapped as the estate protagonists. Lynn + Lucy is a thought-provoking, worthy watch that asks us to see the human beings behind the horor headlines and consider the consequences of our words.
This could have been good.
philipfoxe10 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I gave this six because the actors turned up. A bit fed up with working class actors being presented as soap opera characters, inarticulate and sullen. The conversations that would have happened simply didn't happen. The continuity was questionable to say the least. I mean your best friend is killing herself with a car exhaust and you walk away. Really?
British film delivers a shocking event that drives the plot
tonypeacock-123 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Thought provoking British film that pushes the boundaries of friendship.
Lynn & Lucy are twenty somethings, friends since their schooldays where they were rumoured to be in a same sex relationship.
The friendship has carried on, so much so they live across the road from each other and Lucy (Roxanne Scrimshaw) is the Godmother of Lynn's baby, Harrison.
All I will say regarding plot is these events are pushed to the limit by a tragic event that occurs with Lynn.
The casting of two relative unknowns in the lead roles is excellent.
The director, Fyzsl Boulifa weaves a thrilling plotline amongst tragic events and photographs the location showing the poverty that exists and the aftermath of the tragic event including fear of locals.
It is a film that doesn't need a music score.
A typical gritty, inner city British film that leaves you thinking long after watching.
Lynn & Lucy are twenty somethings, friends since their schooldays where they were rumoured to be in a same sex relationship.
The friendship has carried on, so much so they live across the road from each other and Lucy (Roxanne Scrimshaw) is the Godmother of Lynn's baby, Harrison.
All I will say regarding plot is these events are pushed to the limit by a tragic event that occurs with Lynn.
The casting of two relative unknowns in the lead roles is excellent.
The director, Fyzsl Boulifa weaves a thrilling plotline amongst tragic events and photographs the location showing the poverty that exists and the aftermath of the tragic event including fear of locals.
It is a film that doesn't need a music score.
A typical gritty, inner city British film that leaves you thinking long after watching.
Powerful stuff
MrHaversham18 July 2020
Social drama that says a great deal about society today. Our own weaknesses and dreams never happening. How we cope and address them by not being honest at the cause of the problem and how our complacency allows it to continue. A film that examines all these issues and doesn't judge. Powerful stuff.
Too much of a bad thing
Ruskington18 August 2020
While I'm very much a fan of British kitchen-sink realism, I found Lynn + Lucy to be excessively turgid and ultimately quite tiresome. I understand the style, I understand the message and I understand the level of confronting bleakness. But the endless hesitancy and sullen silences of Roxanne Scrimshaw just became exhausting. People may wax lyrical about her performance but I found her portrayal to be contrived and unrealistic. I appreciate what Boulifa is trying to do with this film but for me it just felt a little forced and indulgent.
Heavy AF - intoscreens.com
eelen-seth30 June 2020
Lynn and Lucy have been friends since high school. They live a normal middleclass life across the street from one another in a small town, and know they can count on each other for a laugh or a chat. Lynn is excited to be Lucy's first born's godmother, although the new mum isn't sure she's fit to be a mother, also dealing with her volatile boyfriend. After starting a new job as an assistant in a hairsalon, Lynn soon sees her tight friendship, community and own family questioned to the point of no return.
Writer and director Fyzal Boulifa has made a truly gut wrenching social drama, with at the center a subject not many storytellers like to tackle. Lynn + Lucy is the kind of film that surprises you more than once. As simple as it may look, Boulifa has found a way to ask the hard questions by putting its audience in the middle of a mental struggle with both main characters. Do you ever really know someone that literally lives right across the street from you? When does gossip take control of facts and vice versa? Does trust make us ignore clear warning signs or mute cries for help? Nothing is taboo for Boulifa. Just expect to leave the cinema all shaken up.
Protagonists Lynn + Lucy are played by Roxanne Scrimshaw + Nichola Burley respectively. Both give captivating tragic performances that leave a mark on you. You can't help but feel for Scrimshaw's Lynn, who has the kindest eyes, yet at the same time the close ups of her face show a sad side that constantly makes you want to protect her. She gives one of the strongest and rawest performances in a British film in a very long time. Burley's Lucy on the other hand, is so tormented by guilt and has a dying hunger for love. She shows off most of her acting talent after the film's central devastating event, and never steps on the brake. Both actors challenge and push each other to unseen levels.
The story doesn't need a score, since the quiet pauses between dialogues give us time to catch our breath. Accompanied by effective cinematography, this small drama stands out in a somewhat lost year for cinema. Lynn + Lucy should come with some sort of trigger warning, or at least get an appropriate rating, to make sure those who go in blindly know to brace themselves. Heavy subjects with a massive emotional impact make this social commentary on gossip, friendship and parenthood one of those films that lingers long after the end credits fade to black.
Writer and director Fyzal Boulifa has made a truly gut wrenching social drama, with at the center a subject not many storytellers like to tackle. Lynn + Lucy is the kind of film that surprises you more than once. As simple as it may look, Boulifa has found a way to ask the hard questions by putting its audience in the middle of a mental struggle with both main characters. Do you ever really know someone that literally lives right across the street from you? When does gossip take control of facts and vice versa? Does trust make us ignore clear warning signs or mute cries for help? Nothing is taboo for Boulifa. Just expect to leave the cinema all shaken up.
Protagonists Lynn + Lucy are played by Roxanne Scrimshaw + Nichola Burley respectively. Both give captivating tragic performances that leave a mark on you. You can't help but feel for Scrimshaw's Lynn, who has the kindest eyes, yet at the same time the close ups of her face show a sad side that constantly makes you want to protect her. She gives one of the strongest and rawest performances in a British film in a very long time. Burley's Lucy on the other hand, is so tormented by guilt and has a dying hunger for love. She shows off most of her acting talent after the film's central devastating event, and never steps on the brake. Both actors challenge and push each other to unseen levels.
The story doesn't need a score, since the quiet pauses between dialogues give us time to catch our breath. Accompanied by effective cinematography, this small drama stands out in a somewhat lost year for cinema. Lynn + Lucy should come with some sort of trigger warning, or at least get an appropriate rating, to make sure those who go in blindly know to brace themselves. Heavy subjects with a massive emotional impact make this social commentary on gossip, friendship and parenthood one of those films that lingers long after the end credits fade to black.
urgh
maximovlE5 December 2020
Saw the BBC logo and continued watching, more fool me.
Plus side, there was some great acting. There were also a couple of moments that took my breath, especially THAT confession from the main characters daughter.
The minus side, no real conclusion. Was she actually guilty then or not?
Overall... an embarrassing insight into the country we now live in. And some people think they're cool living like that.
Plus side, there was some great acting. There were also a couple of moments that took my breath, especially THAT confession from the main characters daughter.
The minus side, no real conclusion. Was she actually guilty then or not?
Overall... an embarrassing insight into the country we now live in. And some people think they're cool living like that.
you might need some warning signs...
ops-525358 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Before you see this soscialrealistic kind of drama made with english touch of nongrandiouse filmaking. the actors a stern , cool and good in their roles, and its a kind of overwhelming silence throughout the whole movie.
its about 2 sister living across the street of eachother, one in a routine love relationship, the other live in love hardships, in a little town somewhere in south england, its a film about marriage, domestic abuse and violence,lying and decieft, unemployment,silence and and secret rumours, adolescent adults, the jantelaw,sisterhood, and sudden childdeath.
sudden childdeath, is everyones gratest nightmare, ive been spared for it, but im pretty cautious on behalf of my own childrens children. the subject here is whether its done on semipurposed reason by shaking or slapping a uncomfy,screaming baby, making the parent go blinded by the dispair and accidentially kills the little one by accident, or is it just another mysterious childeath of unknown reasons.
its a sad and very depressing film, especially on behalf of the community's reaction, and hate uttering by tagging cars and house and shouting and use of swearword as the sorrowing flock of realatives and friend does the last mile on foot behind the funeral car. i am disgusted by people that hangs over the fence theorizing and spreading rumours that soon will become a true legend. because it happens and its poisonous.
production are well made, nothing extravagant that would damage the dire straits, and musical score ae nearly absent. so let the warning be from the grumpy old man, if you happen to be or have big problems ripping up prehistoric memories of childdeath yourself then do not watch alone, its quite dehumanizing and raw at times. its a big recommend.
its about 2 sister living across the street of eachother, one in a routine love relationship, the other live in love hardships, in a little town somewhere in south england, its a film about marriage, domestic abuse and violence,lying and decieft, unemployment,silence and and secret rumours, adolescent adults, the jantelaw,sisterhood, and sudden childdeath.
sudden childdeath, is everyones gratest nightmare, ive been spared for it, but im pretty cautious on behalf of my own childrens children. the subject here is whether its done on semipurposed reason by shaking or slapping a uncomfy,screaming baby, making the parent go blinded by the dispair and accidentially kills the little one by accident, or is it just another mysterious childeath of unknown reasons.
its a sad and very depressing film, especially on behalf of the community's reaction, and hate uttering by tagging cars and house and shouting and use of swearword as the sorrowing flock of realatives and friend does the last mile on foot behind the funeral car. i am disgusted by people that hangs over the fence theorizing and spreading rumours that soon will become a true legend. because it happens and its poisonous.
production are well made, nothing extravagant that would damage the dire straits, and musical score ae nearly absent. so let the warning be from the grumpy old man, if you happen to be or have big problems ripping up prehistoric memories of childdeath yourself then do not watch alone, its quite dehumanizing and raw at times. its a big recommend.
Drawn out storyline that doesn't go anywhere
traceytak22 November 2020
Nicola Burley is the only light in this drama, the rest of it is dull. There is no ending, almost a depressing soap episode that doesn't have a follow through. The roles are all generic and nothing different. The monotonous dull scenes of how Lynn was feeling made me want to hit the fast forward button, although I didn't, when I got to the end I wish I had. Like watching paint dry.
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