A romantic movie that deals with "after you fall in love". Pep and his partner come across the fabled 7 year itch. Pep has always wanted to travel the world and Sjors has seen the world as is ready to settle down. Generally though, they work well as a couple and have a solid foundation. Cas is a young wandering soul who finds his way to their couch and then into their lives. Cas' presence sparks tension and desire and ultimately the original couple is forced to question their paths forward. Wieger Windhorst is strong as Pepijn and Kevin Hassing as Sjors is stunning as Sjors. Felix Meyer is good as Cas but his character is not tasked with the heavy lifting of the two leads. As relationships age, less is said and more is assumed or expected. Those assumptions and expectations can become problematic if they are not checked, rechecked, reiterated and confirmed. Pep and Sjors are forced to answered "what do we want?" Writing and direction is strong and leaves the viewer wanting more.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Permission
(I) (2017)
Great acting, some great scenes - doesn't quite add up
29 July 2018
Director/writer Brian Crano has assembled an excellent cast. Permission has adults having adult conversations. We watch as two very different couples grapple with managing their relationships and the hardships that ensue when one person (or both) deviate from "the plan". Crano allows his characters to be smart, stupid, loving, selfish ... that is, real people. Rebecca Hall steals the show and yet her character is perhaps the least likable of them all. After seeing her here, I will watch her in anything. A scene late in the movie is as real as life and as such is tender, wrenching, and beautiful. So, why only 5 stars? All of these great parts do not add up in the end. The middle of the film lags. As great as the acting may be, I didn't believe the ending. Crano works with his actors and creates great moments. The culmination of those moments, while clearly articulated in the film, seemed trite at worst and less than satisfying at best. Normally such an ending would result in less than 5 / 10 from me (starting from a pass/fail scale). Yet, the greatly crafted scenes and great ensemble acting make Permission worth recommending.
Impressive
17 November 2016
Writer/Director Stephen Cone has crafted a film that on technical merits alone is heads above most films dealing with a gay youth coming of age. Cinematographer Jason Chiu's contributions must be recognized as well. Finally, a fairly strong cast all adds to a film that is confident and ambitious. It may not always achieve, but its parts are greater than the whole.
The camera is an observer and moves melodically throughout the film. Yet, cinematographer and director never become showy. Each angle and camera movement is intentional and honest.
The lead actors are strong. Their backstories are sometimes revealed through dialogue but their untold stories echo throughout rewarding the audience with so many three dimensional people rarely seen in smaller films. The supporting cast is mostly as strong.
A majority of the film deals with teenagers conversing at a birthday party. The written dialogue accurately reflects that world but the subtext of real world drama rings through loudly. Cast and director deserve strong kudos.
The pacing of the film is not as strong. Multiple story lines are difficult to balance and juggle. Here writer and editor (both Cone again) show their weaknesses. As well, and no spoiler, the ending is lacking. Technically, it is fitting and true to the world of the film, but that does not discount the audience leaving feeling short changed.
A third of the way through the film, I was very excited by what I had seen thus far. Two thirds of the way through the film, I became a tad restless but I was invested in the characters to want to see it through. By the end, I was disappointed based on my initial excitement but not enough to be disenfranchised.
Stephen Cone is a talent to be watched. His ambition should be encouraged and nurtured. His cast deserves to be seen in many more projects. Henry Gamble's Birthday Party is a very good achievement and possibly one that will be recognized in future years as a major leaping point for many people.
The camera is an observer and moves melodically throughout the film. Yet, cinematographer and director never become showy. Each angle and camera movement is intentional and honest.
The lead actors are strong. Their backstories are sometimes revealed through dialogue but their untold stories echo throughout rewarding the audience with so many three dimensional people rarely seen in smaller films. The supporting cast is mostly as strong.
A majority of the film deals with teenagers conversing at a birthday party. The written dialogue accurately reflects that world but the subtext of real world drama rings through loudly. Cast and director deserve strong kudos.
The pacing of the film is not as strong. Multiple story lines are difficult to balance and juggle. Here writer and editor (both Cone again) show their weaknesses. As well, and no spoiler, the ending is lacking. Technically, it is fitting and true to the world of the film, but that does not discount the audience leaving feeling short changed.
A third of the way through the film, I was very excited by what I had seen thus far. Two thirds of the way through the film, I became a tad restless but I was invested in the characters to want to see it through. By the end, I was disappointed based on my initial excitement but not enough to be disenfranchised.
Stephen Cone is a talent to be watched. His ambition should be encouraged and nurtured. His cast deserves to be seen in many more projects. Henry Gamble's Birthday Party is a very good achievement and possibly one that will be recognized in future years as a major leaping point for many people.
Fantastic
27 April 2015
There's no need to go on and on - this is the best episode of this series.
The comedy is precise. The drama, FINALLY, plays out eloquently. The cheesy music is still there but it blends into the background because you're engrossed with the story. The actors are all perfectly on note. If season two can continue with this momentum, "Scrotal Recall" could become appointment television / water cooler fodder / talked about by everyone.
Writer/creator Tom Edge has excellent bookends (ep 1 and 6) with his series. The middle episodes are not as sharp but they have enough highlights to get one through. Overall, a fine balance between flashbacks and present day drama complement each other well. Similar flashback set ups exist on "Arrow", slightly with "How I Met Your Mother" and others. In the case of "Scrotal Recall", the effect is well thought out, well executed, and easy watching.
The comedy is precise. The drama, FINALLY, plays out eloquently. The cheesy music is still there but it blends into the background because you're engrossed with the story. The actors are all perfectly on note. If season two can continue with this momentum, "Scrotal Recall" could become appointment television / water cooler fodder / talked about by everyone.
Writer/creator Tom Edge has excellent bookends (ep 1 and 6) with his series. The middle episodes are not as sharp but they have enough highlights to get one through. Overall, a fine balance between flashbacks and present day drama complement each other well. Similar flashback set ups exist on "Arrow", slightly with "How I Met Your Mother" and others. In the case of "Scrotal Recall", the effect is well thought out, well executed, and easy watching.
Laugh out loud comedy - watchable drama
25 April 2015
Daniel Ing's "Luke" kicks off the episode with a stellar one man reenactment of "Point Break"for ignorant Angus. This scene coupled with Luke's later dance off at a Highland party are comedic highlights of this series thus far.
Some great one liners are peppered through the episode. Countering these funny highs are the up and down drama of Dylan and Evie and their shared history. They begin by acting out a list of Luke's of "things to do before I die". Funny events happen, not to be revealed here, but soon enough drama comes up and the laughs end. Writer Tom Edge navigates multiple story lines expertly and succinctly. Unfortunately, the dramatic turns are less thrilling and perhaps unnecessary. Maybe its just the continuing horrible score that makes the dramatic scenes so painful. Either way, the comedy soars and is the highlight for sure.
Some great one liners are peppered through the episode. Countering these funny highs are the up and down drama of Dylan and Evie and their shared history. They begin by acting out a list of Luke's of "things to do before I die". Funny events happen, not to be revealed here, but soon enough drama comes up and the laughs end. Writer Tom Edge navigates multiple story lines expertly and succinctly. Unfortunately, the dramatic turns are less thrilling and perhaps unnecessary. Maybe its just the continuing horrible score that makes the dramatic scenes so painful. Either way, the comedy soars and is the highlight for sure.
Episode 2 - charms subsides, drama increases, humour hits and misses
24 April 2015
Opposites attract and opposites sets the stage for episode 2 of "Scrotal Recall". Simple Luke continues his sexual relationship with masters student Cleo while he deploys juvenile attempts to avoid any intellectual relationship development. This contrasts with young Dylan's desire for older Anna and their relationship's mostly honest approach to two people attracted to each other but age and stage offer significant roadblocks. A disastrous dinner party sets the stage for most of the episode. The comedy is broad but misses as often as it hits. The drama is a tad pedantic and predictable. An overall past/present storyline concerning Luke and Evie demonstrates their troubled emotional baggage for each other. Their angst ridden relationship was introduced in episode 1 and seems set to be the major through line for season one. It's not compelling but it's also not too belaboured.
Writer/creator Tom Edge tackles a different tone versus episode 1. The lead characters lose some of their original charm but add other elements: Angus is slightly more confident but still desperate; Luke is less roguish and more slimy; Chloe loses her innocent girl on the sidelines and is now shown to be smitten and in despair. The show gains in depth but at the cost of overall charm. Scenes are still funny. Supporting characters are less interesting. Perhaps an overall necessary evil to give the show more colours to play with later.
Writer/creator Tom Edge tackles a different tone versus episode 1. The lead characters lose some of their original charm but add other elements: Angus is slightly more confident but still desperate; Luke is less roguish and more slimy; Chloe loses her innocent girl on the sidelines and is now shown to be smitten and in despair. The show gains in depth but at the cost of overall charm. Scenes are still funny. Supporting characters are less interesting. Perhaps an overall necessary evil to give the show more colours to play with later.
Lovesick
(2014–2018)
4 Weddings & A Funeral / Love, Actually for TV
24 April 2015
This fun and witty series gets off to a good start with episode 1. "Scrotal Recall" is not afraid to have broad humour tangled in with charm, mischief and guffaws while it examines relationships and affairs of the heart. Main character Dylan, boyish and Hugh Grant-like, revisits his flings of the past. Along the way we learn about him and his friends: the pretty Evie and the roguish Luke. Episode 1 is set at the wedding of meek Angus and bride from hell, Helen. Helen is great fun to watch. Helen the bride barks orders at her entourage. Then, just before the wedding starts, she states "It's f**ing show time!" and she emits a glorious fake smile and marches her way towards her wedding day.
Writer Tom Edge seems to be channelling the spirit of Richard Curtis, writer of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", "Love, Actually" and more. The wedding setting of episode 1 oozes "Four Weddings" sentiments. Multiple stories mix and clash yet stand on their own. The pacing is glib but fun. Serious moments are real enough but avoid getting bogged down. The laughs are mostly light and a few good guffaws are deserved. It's enjoyable and frothy.
Writer Tom Edge seems to be channelling the spirit of Richard Curtis, writer of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", "Love, Actually" and more. The wedding setting of episode 1 oozes "Four Weddings" sentiments. Multiple stories mix and clash yet stand on their own. The pacing is glib but fun. Serious moments are real enough but avoid getting bogged down. The laughs are mostly light and a few good guffaws are deserved. It's enjoyable and frothy.
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