There's a common belief that any film given below seven stars on IMDb is not worth seeing. That may have been true at one time when purposefully poor reviews or deceptive great reviews weren't posted simply because the idiots hadn't discovered they could manipulate the numbers. All that said, this film--this majestic example of directory genius and superb storytelling--I gave five Amazon stars to because it deserved every last one of them, and I give 10 stars here on IMDb, something I reserve for flawless films. I stepped into this story not sure I really wanted to know about it. Poor housing developments in some part of a Wales that I like to imagine is only made up of hills and dales and out-of-the-way pubs owned and operated by cute, snappy-eyed, broad smiling Welsh beauties. And wait'll ye see their daughters! Anyway, the Wales of this film is nothing like I imagine, but is desolate and cold and weird and unimpressive. But I watched anyway, and was soon enough caught up in the seamless storytelling and brilliant photography with perfect, telling angles (you'll need to see the film twice to see what I mean--the shots hang a certain way, and that is a first and major clue to what you will see as really the center of the whole tale). I'd tell you much more, but I don't want to spoil anything. If you are a fan of masterful storytelling in film as well as a lover of all things Celtic and Welsh and British and what have you, then see this one. You won't regret it.
Review of In the Dark Half
