I am from Kent (where this film is set), and I now live in Scotland (where this film is also set). I watched Above The Clouds last night and I can barely remember any scenes, any of the actor's faces, let alone any of the dialogue... I desperately wanted to like it, sitting at home under my blanket with some popcorn, while Storm Babet raged outside, however, there was nothing redeeming about the narrative or acting. Charlie seems like a spoilt brat and Oz is an over-used stereotype. The ending was not 'shocking' as some suggest, just a modern cliche.
In my opinion, this whole film felt like someone's high school project that was allowed to get to production more by luck than judgement. The characters are one-directional, and the storyline is (on the surface) aimed at the Young Adult audience, but I feel like even then they would see through the lack of depth.
No spoilers, there are a couple of scenes when Charlie is at work near the start of the film, and all I could think of was... if you were my employee/colleague/serving me I would be cringing with what you're doing... yet Charlie is supposed to be a headstrong teenager and standing up for people's rights. She comes across as an entitled, petulant brat.
The same pattern follows Oz the homeless man. He is defined by the fact he lives on the streets, but apart from his straggly hair/beard and clothes, he doesn't look 'homeless'. They mention his smell a few times throughout the film, yet he has good teeth and his face isn't actually dirty and he doesn't look stressed or as if he's had a hard life recently. It is as if a teenager thought up the character and it was never developed into a real human with emotions and a back-story.
Lastly, again, this is not a spoiler. I believe that we do not have the time to grow to like and become attached to the main characters or their motivation. If there had even been ten minutes more at the start, a couple more scenes between Oz and Charlie, their journey together might have been more believeable.
The film isn't 'awful' despite the above comments I have made. I am sure there is another rainy, windy afternoon that you could put it on in the background and play on your phone. If you're looking for a feel-good indie road movie I would recommend Little Miss Sunshine or Peanut Butter Falcon.
Above The Clouds had a lot of potential, but failed to deliver.
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