17. Enys Men; movie review

 

ENYS MEN

Cert 15

96 mins

BBFC advice: Contains brief strong sex, self-harm, upsetting scenes, psychological threat

Dreams seem so real, don't they?

Even when people from our past appear in places they have never been with folk they have never met at times when they may not have even been alive.

And they often do things which don't make sense.

So, what if a film looked like a dream?

Mark Jenkin appears to be attempting to conjure one in his non-linear slice of Cornish weirdness, Enys Men.

Jenkin's movie is set in 1973 and, filmed on 16mm, it has the deliberate feel of a dated recording, both in terms of its setting and the quality of its presentation.

This adds to the Whicker Man-esque sense of foreboding.

Its stars Mary Woodvine as a wildlife charity volunteer who is alone on an uninhabited island.

Every day she records the slow growth of a rare flower on a rocky cliff face. Meanwhile, there are brief flashbacks to scenes which are seemingly related to a tragedy on the island.

But there are also myriad images which don't appear to relate to anything.

The problem with every abstract film is that there is always a danger of style over substance and that is an accusation which could be fairly aimed at Enys Men.

In short, it looks good and expertly builds tension but doesn't come up with the big reveal I was expecting.

It may satisfy cinephiles but I would think that mainstream audiences will give it a wide berth.

I found it an interesting concept but think it would have benefited from its story not being quite as loose.

PS It was lovely to see a cameo from Mary's dad and celebrated actor John Woodvine, now aged 93.

Reasons to watch: Jenkin is always up to something interesting

Reasons to avoid: Does not have a clear storyline

Laughs: None

Jumps: One

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Enys men means stone island in Cornish

The final word. Mark Jenkin: "The film was never intended as an overt homage, but it was created using a similar production process, and with the same sort of equipment and film stock as many low budget horror films of the 70s, so inevitably it does tip a hat to those movies.  Much like the central character the film is lost in time. I see ENYS MEN as a lost Cornish Folk Horror."

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