‘How To Stop A Recurring Dream’ review: Dir. Ed Morris (2021)

From Ed Morris, a filmmaker who has had his feet planted in the realms of advertising, music videos, and documentary filmmaking, comes this impressive narrative feature directing debut. How To Stop A Recurring Dream is a tight, impeccably crafted affair with an outstanding lead performance from Ruby Barker.

Barker portrays the character of Yakira, the eldest daughter in a family on the brink of substantial change. We learn in the opening scenes that her stepmother and father – Paul and Michelle – a superb Jamie Michie and Miranda Nolan – are planning to separate. The plan is for Michelle to leave with youngest daughter Kelly (Lily-Rose Aslandogdu), while Yakira will head from the south of England to Edinburgh in Scotland, a distance of hundreds of miles. Clearly devastated by the turn of events, a desperate Yakira runs away taking her younger half-sister with her in an attempt to reconnect with her before their lives are torn apart.

It’s an interesting piece, Morris, who as well as directing, also wrote the screenplay, is very well paced from start to finish. It’s an engrossing story tackling a variety of subject matter – including personal loss through grief and obviously family separation. Its biggest asset is its cast, notably Barker (seen recently in Bridgerton) giving an exceptional lead performance as Yakira. It is crafted wonderfully, and particular mention must go to the look of the film. The cinematography by Ivan Bird, DOP on Sexy Beast back in 2000, is exceptional, and the film is presented in a very muted, heavily desaturated palette, which definitely suits the narrative.

There are some plausibility issues in regards to some aspects of the story, but if you go with proceesings it is difficult not be absorbed by it. A solid dramatic debut from Morris, both from a writing and particulalrly directing point of view and well worthy of attention.

How To Stop A Recurring Dream is available on digital now.