Film - Gregor

Gregor

Steve Taylor-Bryant, reviews a British comedy that will be showing at the Raindance Film Festival. Review may contain spoilers...

I love independent film. I love it even more when a film maker is so passionate about what they have produced they actually send you a copy personally rather than going through the long winded PR route. That is what happened with Gregor. Konrad Kay the co-writer and director along with Mickey Down, asked if I would like an advance screening of the film before the Raindance Film Festival.

Gregor can’t really be classified. It is a quirky little film that doesn’t really explain or solve anything. It is basically a collection of conversations that lead nowhere. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is in no way a criticism. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was laugh out loud funny and that is due to the excellent script that is very heavy on dialogue and some fantastic performances from a very good cast.

The story follows a young man named Gregor who fails at life, whether it's masturbating at work whilst writing inappropriate material or not really knowing how to react in company. Gregor stumbles through from scene to scene meeting different people and a new conversation begins. He finally meets a guy called Terry and they attend a very strange dinner party and whilst getting high in a bathroom it is Terry who offers him work in a magazine he is supposedly founding.

The story of Gregor takes place over the course of a few days and shows stunning insight into the real world. Conversations in pubs, on the sofa whilst watching TV, with friends that like to exaggerate, I mean who hasn't got one of those? Ollie Marsden is fantastic as Gregor, he wants to fit in and get it right but can’t. Marsden's facial expressions and constant staring really let you inside the character and, along with his dreamer’s dialogue, this is a great outing for the young actor. It is a slightly older actor that shines though. Matt King (Rock n Rolla/Starlings) as Terry I could watch over and over again. His delivery makes a very funny script spring to life. Slightly posh, very mysterious and a talker, Terry spills brilliance onto the screen with every line whether it be a normal request like where is the bathroom, or my personal favourites -

“I didn't know whether to fuck her or give a sardine!”

and

“It's like a tweed twilight zone.”

This is what British films are about. No bullshit. Just great acting driven by fantastic writing. This is a must see film for those who like clever wit and superb performances.

Image - Raindance.
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