Screening Friday 22nd until Sunday 31st August 2008 @ Watershed

Framed like a grainy pound-shop disposable camera, Somertown is another example of director Shane Meadow’s talent.

Tomo and Marek’s unlikely friendship is the engine for the plot. They are the epitome of chalk and cheese, Marek representing more of a romantic and Tomo that of the ‘Lad’. Despite their differences they have one thing in common, Maria, a beautiful French lady who waitress’ at their local café, where the boys first meet over Tomo’s bacon butty and Marek’s newly developed photos. Maria is but a subplot against the dominating notion of brotherly love. Stolen wash bags and abandoned wheelchairs alongside sneaky cash in hand jobs for their overweight neighbour, are but some of the swashbuckling adventures these bored teenagers push for.

Using best friend Paul Frasers script, Meadows doesn’t fairy dance over detail. Despite being shorter in length, this film encompasses all the ingredients for a simple indie/arthouse film. Beautiful camera shots, which shift to colour for the finale, subtle but convincing acting and a typical British sense of humour, nice and dry.

Funny and bleak, black and white, charming and simple, Meadows and Fraser. This film seems dedicated to a sense of partnership, and the love hate relationship, which comes with all good friendships. Tomo and Marek have the perfect Rock ‘n’ Roll relationship.

www.watershed.co.uk

Kayleigh Cassidy