161. Pond Life; movie review

POND LIFE
Cert 15
99 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language

If this is what happens when a theatre director is given scope to take on a feature film, let's hope it becomes a trend.
I am not sure if Bill Buckhurst aspires to be another Igmar Bergmann but Pond Life shows how that eye for detail, gleaned in theatre productions can be a huge advantage when reverting to the movie medium.
Pond Life is a low-budget film, based in South Yorkshire. It is a winner because it has beautiful dialogue, great acting and how it cleverly takes its audience back in time to the 1990s.
It stars Esme Creed-Miles as a teenager, Pogo, who seems to be caught in a dream world, recording a running commentary of her life on cassette tapes.
Pogo is a charming girl and her quirkiness is accepted within the tight-knit South Yorkshire community where she lives.
Particularly kind towards her is Trevor (Tom Varey) who encourages her to participate in his love of fishing and go in search of a legendary monster carp.
Pond Life resonates so much because of the way pre-internet and mobile phone society is drawn in a former pit town.
The Miners' Welfare Club is at the centre of terraced streets where ambition is limited but back-story baggage is not.
There is sadness around certain events which are kept under a heavy veil but there are plenty of laughs, particularly around the antics of two young best friends (Gianlucca Galluci and Ethan Wilkie).
Indeed, love abounds in many different ways during Pond Life and is expertly translated from writer Richard Cameron's smart observations.
There are a couple of very short cameos by Coronation Street actors which appear to be designed at attracting audiences.
Trust me, they aren't needed. The quality of the acting, particularly by Creed-Miles, complemented by Varey, Angus Imrie, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Abraham Lewis and other cast members engenders enough charm and pathos to enable Pond Life to stand admirably by itself.
It is original and has such a spark that I hope Buckhurst is given more opportunities to bring his directing talent to the screen as well as the stage.

Reasons to watch: Beautifully crafted, charming British comedy-drama
Reasons to avoid: Those who don't persevere may find it too light

Laughs: Five
Jumps: None
Vomit: Yes
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? According to Anglers Mail, English anglers put a whopping £1.46 billion pounds per year into the English economy.

The final word. Bill Buckhurst: "When I first read Richard (Cameron)'s script, I was blown away by the authenticity of the young voices in his story. He loves these characters and manages to capture perfectly the highs and lows of this disparate group of young people as they try to find their way in a complicated world."

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