This 2006 feature length movie began life in 2004 as a 20-minute short film that won a few awards as well as a nomination for an Oscar. Riding on its own success, the earlier version was expanded, retaining the two leads Sean Biggerstaff (playing Ben) and Emilia Fox (playing Sharon).
The story is what every teenage boy can easily identify with, about breaking up and finding love again. It may well turn out to be an American-Pie type of tasteless, sex- obsessed, mindless flick. In fact, it does have all the essential elements. But the movie makers cleverly balance them with aesthetic touched. While Ben, in his fantasy, freezes and undresses the shapely patrons in the supermarket he works in, we see him as an art student concentrating on sketching them as if they were nude models in the studio.
The movie is often slow to the extent of being telltale of its origin that is, an expansion from a short film. But there are also inspired moments, such as the sequence of all the characters getting ready in front of a mirror for a big party. The ending shots are beautiful, closing the movie in a magical note.
Opera arias are used liberally for background music, something that seems to have become more and more popular in movies. In addition, to create a majestic mood (for comical effects, however), excerpts from "Jupiter" in The Planet Suite is heard when a soccer team falling behind 0 to 26 in the last minute of the game gets into a huddle vowing to score at least one goal before the game is over.
Despite the 9 years between them, the two British leads are splendid and do have chemistry between them. Sean Biggerstaff, who has appeared in a couple Harry Potter movies, brings out the charm of the introvert, easy-going young man Ben who has considerable artistic talent. Emilia Fox has a face and a persona that soothe rather than excite you, which is perfect for Sharon. She has appeared in The Pianist playing opposite award-winning Adrien Brody. She has also appeared in a couple of films between the two "Cashback"s, including Maggie Smith's "Keeping mum".
The story is what every teenage boy can easily identify with, about breaking up and finding love again. It may well turn out to be an American-Pie type of tasteless, sex- obsessed, mindless flick. In fact, it does have all the essential elements. But the movie makers cleverly balance them with aesthetic touched. While Ben, in his fantasy, freezes and undresses the shapely patrons in the supermarket he works in, we see him as an art student concentrating on sketching them as if they were nude models in the studio.
The movie is often slow to the extent of being telltale of its origin that is, an expansion from a short film. But there are also inspired moments, such as the sequence of all the characters getting ready in front of a mirror for a big party. The ending shots are beautiful, closing the movie in a magical note.
Opera arias are used liberally for background music, something that seems to have become more and more popular in movies. In addition, to create a majestic mood (for comical effects, however), excerpts from "Jupiter" in The Planet Suite is heard when a soccer team falling behind 0 to 26 in the last minute of the game gets into a huddle vowing to score at least one goal before the game is over.
Despite the 9 years between them, the two British leads are splendid and do have chemistry between them. Sean Biggerstaff, who has appeared in a couple Harry Potter movies, brings out the charm of the introvert, easy-going young man Ben who has considerable artistic talent. Emilia Fox has a face and a persona that soothe rather than excite you, which is perfect for Sharon. She has appeared in The Pianist playing opposite award-winning Adrien Brody. She has also appeared in a couple of films between the two "Cashback"s, including Maggie Smith's "Keeping mum".