105. Cleft Lip; movie review

CLEFT LIP
Cert TBA
84 mins
BBFC advice: TBA

Erik Knudsen was really on to something here...
His first thought was what happens when fertility becomes a commodity as some might argue it already is in today's society.
After all, it is possible to have IVF treatment with through anonymous paid donations of eggs or sperm.
This brings into question the traditional relationship between father, mother and child - possibly, out of biological circumstance but often out of choice.
Knudsen has taken this thought and woven into a modern interpretation of Sophocles' classic character, Oedipus.
So, unbeknown to the central character, Campbell (Reece Douglas), his much older wife (Miranda Benjamin) donated a fertilised egg when she was younger.
If you have been reading carefully, you will be aware of where this is going...
Thus, the premise is full of potential but, sadly, Knudsen needed a bigger budget to made Cleft Lip as effective as is could have been.
For starters, I have to report that the cast are not overly convincing.
Cleft Lip is punctuated by tumult but the reactions to what should be extreme shock are tepid.
For example, there is a scene in which an office worker actually complains of attitudes and asks: "I don't know what is going on around here."
I wanted to shout at the screen: "You must have had your ears and eyes closed!"
I shall not be uncharitable and pick on other cast members but their delivery was too low-key given the subject matter.
That said. if Knudsen had been given more money for more exciting backdrops and more experienced actors, Cleft Lip could have been more memorable.

Reasons to watch: Intriguing premise surrounding a young man's search for biological mother
Reasons to avoid: Too slow in its build-up

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? Fertility problems are estimated to affect one in six or one in seven couples in the UK - approximately 3.5 million people. Around 60,000 fertility treatments are performed in licensed clinics per year, with the live birth rate after IVF about a quarter, according to latest figures.

The final word. Erik Knudsen: "I found the story of Oedipus could merge with these themes and challenges in contemporary life, whilst still reflecting on the unchanging and powerful relationship between a child and their parents."

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