Pros: good production values, quality acting, really good soundtrack. I've seen a number of Jade Winters' short films and read her books, and she is a veritable Renaissance woman with her creative powers. I haven't read the original novel that "One Four Three" is based on, however, so I don't know as yet how it compares. However, the movie is slick, well done, and mildly suspenseful, and the two leads especially are clearly experienced actresses who understand their parts.
Cons: ** MINOR SPOILER **
This con is entirely about the plot, not the production. I can't get my head around Rebecca's motivations following the attack that causes Genevieve to lose her memories. I can understand being confused and unsure what to do when Gen's parents whisk her back home, but later in the film Gen actually moves back to London, right back into Rebecca's flat, and Rebecca still doesn't tell her the truth, to the point of actually playing along with Paul and Genevieve's parents' deception.
** MAJOR SPOILER **
Gen rightfully calls her out on it later and all Rebecca can say is she was scared, Gen's parents threatened her, and she was afraid Gen would run off. Gen replies, "well you should have TAKEN THE RISK!" I completely agree, and I'm glad to film addressed it, and I still can't fathom what Rebecca was thinking. Gen would have been well within her rights to never forgive her, but the two reconcile at the end of the film. However, considering that Genevieve feels guilty and responsible for what happens to Rebecca at the film's climax, I can't help but think that, taken in a rather cynical way, it could be construed that Genevieve takes her back out of guilt.
I don't begrudge Ms. Winters her creative choices but I found Rebecca's actions and Genevieve's implied guilt-ridden forgiveness extremely jarring and not especially romantic. Maybe it's more understandable in the book.
All in all, I'd say a 7.5 and I've rounded up. My reservations about the film notwithstanding, Ms. Winters is clearly a capable filmmaker and I'm looking forward to her future productions.
Cons: ** MINOR SPOILER **
This con is entirely about the plot, not the production. I can't get my head around Rebecca's motivations following the attack that causes Genevieve to lose her memories. I can understand being confused and unsure what to do when Gen's parents whisk her back home, but later in the film Gen actually moves back to London, right back into Rebecca's flat, and Rebecca still doesn't tell her the truth, to the point of actually playing along with Paul and Genevieve's parents' deception.
** MAJOR SPOILER **
Gen rightfully calls her out on it later and all Rebecca can say is she was scared, Gen's parents threatened her, and she was afraid Gen would run off. Gen replies, "well you should have TAKEN THE RISK!" I completely agree, and I'm glad to film addressed it, and I still can't fathom what Rebecca was thinking. Gen would have been well within her rights to never forgive her, but the two reconcile at the end of the film. However, considering that Genevieve feels guilty and responsible for what happens to Rebecca at the film's climax, I can't help but think that, taken in a rather cynical way, it could be construed that Genevieve takes her back out of guilt.
I don't begrudge Ms. Winters her creative choices but I found Rebecca's actions and Genevieve's implied guilt-ridden forgiveness extremely jarring and not especially romantic. Maybe it's more understandable in the book.
All in all, I'd say a 7.5 and I've rounded up. My reservations about the film notwithstanding, Ms. Winters is clearly a capable filmmaker and I'm looking forward to her future productions.