Director: Ben Crowe
Cast: Indea Barbe-Wilson, James Doherty, Nicola Wright, Christian Hogas, Martin McGlade, Jacqueline Phillips, Carrie Cohen, David House, Helen Quigley
Running time: 102 minutes
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: A group of people including a young girl returning home from boarding school, her parents, an ex-soldier, and a Polish immigrant, find their lives slowly intertwine over the course of one summer.
Ben Crowe offers us a sombre coming of age tale in his debut feature length film, VERITY’S SUMMER. From the opening moments the tone is very clear, even if the intent of the film itself is not. A young girl named Verity (Barbe-Wilson) returns home from boarding school ready for the summer holidays, only to find that nobody is there to pick her up. At the same time, an ex-soldier (McGlade) also arrives in the same town. There’s no hint at how or if these two paths will cross, and that is one of VERITY’S SUMMER’s many strengths. There is certainly a worrying and possibly grim quality to the opening, but one that leaves the audience with an uneasy feeling of being unable to read exactly where this story is going. It ties in beautifully with the characters themselves, as they find it constantly difficult to understand one another.
Verity’s coming of age tale does include the familiar trials that all teenage girls must go through, but Crowe’s script handles such issues in a realistic way that is more concerned with representing reality than forcing entertaining but contrived scenarios. Verity meets a young Polish man who has been subjected to a racist attack, but rather than having the characters pour out their souls and confess all in longwinded monologues, the relationship develops naturally and with an air of uncertainty. Meanwhile, Verity’s parents have their own discussions on her future, but are never forcibly unlikable and exaggerated as to squeeze out conflict. They are understanding, caring, but not above putting their feet down.
The natural feeling script is aided by some stunning and confident cinematography by Sara Deane, who isn’t afraid to represent the overcast British weather as having an ephemeral beauty, without compromising the themes of the film. In fact, the weather works as a strong metaphor throughout, as things are bad but never terrible, with glimmers of sunlight creeping through every now and again. Crowe, who also acts as the film’s editor, provides a unique take on the passage of time, as scenes almost seem to stop before gradually morphing into the following scene. There’s no doubt that an entire summer passes by, and we are hit with all the exhaustion and relief of that magical time of year.
The story will certainly move slowly for some, and it doesn’t follow what mainstream films would consider to be the most ‘interesting’ routes the plot could take. Murder investigations, suicides, and physical violence are mostly left off screen, but the dialogue gives us a range of mature adults who discuss issues in an engaging manner. This is showcased in its most thematically engaging moments as the script bravely touches upon issues that have been topical over the last few years. The cast are terrific, especially the family dynamic of Barbe-Wilson, Doherty and Wright. There is no doubt that this is a real family that has grown together. Barbe-Wilson especially, gives a stirring performance and captures all those subtle nuances that give her character diversity and depth. VERITY’S SUMMER is the perfect showcase for some upcoming talent as well as being a little cinematic British gem.
VERITY’S SUMMER is currently doing the rounds on the independent circuit. Find out more information by clicking here, and you can rent/purchase the film online here.
