A lot of time, effort and love went into it from cast and crew. Now I've finally had the pleasure, meant very sincerely of seeing it. Whoever thought of incorporating that Jesca Hoop song 'City Bird' into the soundtrack made a very wise move, as it's eerily fitting.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
Mim Shaikh (as Hussein, Mr-Wheeler-Dealer estate agent): terrifically natural acting for a 1st film role- but his character perplexes me. I wanted to feel sorry for him but couldn't. He winds up becoming a deserving fool unto himself. All that sabotage, and he never seems to learn the lesson that's been making him quite literally ill. He's remorseful, certainly, but it comes too little too late. Damage has already been done, and is still being done. "Karma can't harm ya... if it can't catch up."
Mandeep Dhillon (as Mel, the spunky girlfriend): sweet, pretty, loyal & loving, but in control and independent when she needs to be; Mel is an unknowing target because of her relationship with Hussein and also a victim of his actions. Again; "Karma can't harm ya, if it can't catch up"- Hussein brags to Sonny about their split up, saying she begged and pleaded, blah blah blah- but truth is, through ignorance and selfishness, he screws up something else that could've been wonderful.
Kola Bokinni (as Sonny, the mobility scooter riding weed-dealer) A strong performance. Nothing ever gets explained, but you get the sense that he's a survivor in his own way. He spends the whole movie believing Hussein's a friend, just to be told what he can do with his friendship when things go wrong.
There's a handful of other characters; the unhelpful freezer-delivery men... the locksmith that promises Hussein he'll be "safe as houses"... Hussein's boss, that snide little creature in the other plaid suit, who comes knocking to find out why on earth he's been sent those pictures from his employee's phone...
I feel like I've missed someone...
oh, yes :) 2 meters worth of someone; Javier Botet (as Orlan, the put upon, morally conscious bird man of the flat) his character is like a ballet-dancer (as another review described) crossed with a spider; using walls and nooks and crannies to his advantage, maneuvering through the place with silently skillful ease- ultimately only being seen when he wishes to be, despite unanticipated close calls. No sooner does the front door close, or Hussein's head hit the pillow; then out comes the over-sized sprite to punish the wicked one and make him see the error of his ways, through acts of what could be described as sabotage for personal amusement and satisfaction.
There are moments of unexpected but savage comedy in this movie. Like the reading aloud of gay porn names. Sonny's 'you've got a ghost' line- or there's a scene just before the confrontation, where Hussein is 'physically appreciating' a woman's backside, while Orlan is hiding- cringing and shaking his head a little, as though he's literally thinking 'w**ker!' :)
There's an interesting role reversal that gradually happens as the story goes on. One pigeon slowly takes over the nest but the other doesn't realize it's being pushed out. One becomes morose and despondent as his ideal existence slips away, and one becomes exuberant as things finally start to go his way.
For me, one of the saddest things was; by the time Orlan reveals himself, Hussein has screwed over so many people that he (to begin with at least) doesn't even recognize him.
"I was a victim too." No. Hussein, I'm sorry, but that's the same as the people during WW2 who said they were "just following orders" given to them by the Nazis- the point is, you followed those orders/did "that stuff" they told you to, and you and your employers got rich off of people like Orlan and the others he hears you using that estate-agent shtick on. You have the cheek to sit there and say that you were a victim, when you're living in that 'amazing' flat that was bought with fraudulently obtained money, leaving hopeful people in the lurch?
I love how the flat seems encased in darkness and loneliness- because it works so well with how Orlan lives, and then how he carries out his final act of revenge.
To the people who say they don't get this movie; there are a couple of things you should keep in mind: a) this was Dom Bridges' first attempt at directing a movie- and b) read the interviews with Bridges about it, and it makes it seem very clear that this project was, in a big way, about self therapy. I thought it was very brave to include a loss that hurt so much in Orlan's story-line- but at the same time I did have to marvel at how Bridges described this film as a 'peaceful way' of getting revenge. Hmm... (among other things) violating a face cloth and toothbrush, using a bottle of mouthwash then back-washing, spitting and blowing your nose into it, replacing hair products with bleach, and leaving things during the night for someone else to find, peaceful? :) Are you sure, Mr. Bridges?
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