160. Rye Lane; movie review

 

Ry

RYE LANE

Cert 15

82 mins

BBFC advice: Contains very strong language

What an unexpected pleasure. Rye Lane is warm and funny and proves that hundreds of millions don't have to be spent to create a cracking movie.

Its success is down to keen-eyed observation of director Raine Allen Miller and the wonderfully empathetic performances of its leads David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah.

And I write this as a cinema-goer who is seldom impressed by a rom-com.

It intrigues from its very first shot when the camera pans across the various difficult activities in a stall of unisex toilets (not as disgusting as it sounds).

That is where Dom and Jaz have their first conversation although they don't officially meet until a mutual friend's rather bizarre art exhibition.

They verbally spar a bit before walking around Brixton, telling each other their personal stories while intriguing local characters do their thing in the background.

The quality of Rye Lane's script is exceptional because it perfectly picks up the humour of 'normal' life - from relationships to jobs to even eating from a takeaway (yes, there is the much-heralded Colin Firth moment).

And then there are the wonderful set pieces - such as the hilariously uncomfortable meeting with Dom's ex (Karene Peter) and her new love and his best friend (Benjamin Sarpong-Broni).

Even funnier is when the pair gatecrash a gathering at the home of Jaz's ex's mum.

Most of Rye Lane is set over just a few hours but Miller develops the characters beautifully, bringing the audience firmly on to their side while prompting giggles along the way.

Some might say the film is a tad too twee but Mrs W and I found it an unexpected joy - a ray of light among a lot of more earnest or just plain ugly movies.

Reasons to watch: Charming and funny

Reasons to avoid: A tad too twee

Laughs: Five

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Bare bums

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? In 2016, Time Out said of Rye Lane: "Few roads in London smell quite like Rye Lane. There’s raw meat and fish from the markets; fruit from the street traders; chemicals from the nail salons that never seem to close."

The final word. Raine Allen-Miller: "I went into making Rye Lane hoping it would not quite be a typical romcom. I love the film Juno. I always felt like, "This is a romcom, but it’s cool and it’s got more to it." It’s not like those posters where it’s back to back, someone holding a funny prop. I just didn’t want that vibe. It’s not me at all." BFI

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