Monday, May 30, 2011

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)
Down Terrace (2009)

Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Ben Wheatley
Starring: Robert Hill, Robin Hill, Julia Deakin, David Schaal, Tony Way
Duration: 89 min.
Rating: 7.0

Summary:
After release from prison, Bill and his son Karl return home to Down Terrace. With the help of his wife Maggie, Bill tries to find the rat in his criminal operation, while Karl grows increasingly uncomfortable with his dysfunctional family.



Down Terrace is the debut feature film from British director Ben Wheatley.  Named for the street in Brighton where the film is set, Down Terrace is an independent dark comedy about a very bizarre crime family.
  
Stylistically this film is very similar to those of the so-called mumblecore movement.  Filmed on a low budget, using a close-up hand held camera (with an in your face, almost claustrophobic vibe), naturalistic dialog and improvised banter (with thick accents and quiet whispers some of which are nearly unintelligible), and mostly non-professional actors (the cast consisting of many friends and family members).

There is very little exposition, and the movie seemingly starts in the middle of the story without any explanation given.  Thrust into the lives of Bill and Karl as they casually celebrate their return home with a bunch of friends.  This laid back atmosphere is a double edged sword, at first it is interesting to watch these odd characters interact, as little pieces of the story's underlying dark and sinister tone begin to reveal themselves through mundane yet often humorous conversation.  But soon one starts to wonder if there is any plot at all.

Like a lot of British comedy, most of it is subtle and deadpan, but there are also some outright zany moments like when a hit-man can't find a babysitter, so he brings his young toddler along for a job.  Once the violence starts, the bodies quickly start to pile up, and before long, the film spirals into a crazy Shakespearean finale.  Not the most engaging crime thriller you will see, but achieves more than expected for its budget, enough to warrant a strong recommendation.  It also has a very good soundtrack, with some great folk and blues tracks and some electronic music sprinkled in.    

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

Down Terrace (2009)

15 comments:

Ada said...

Oh lord, thank you for introducing me to Mumblecore. It sounds like it would get really annoying after the first few (e.g. two) movies in that genre, but it also sounds HILARIOUS.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yes that scene with the musicians was definitely a highlight. 

Jack L said...

ah, I see.
Well thanks for letting me know. And as I'm a fan of both Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, I'll be sure to check this one out someday.

blahblahblahtoby said...

this movie was so good i may have to write my own post about it. Tibetan ugg boots? a double bass singalong in the breakfast room? of these things cinematic gold is made.

blahblahblahtoby said...

this just got recommended on frontroomcinema too, was that your doing? i'm gonna watch it tonight, it sounds pretty cool. a customer at the dvd store recommended mumblecore to me recently but this will be my first experience. hmm...

The Reel Foto said...

thanks. :)

Beasts in Human Skin said...

For some reason, I've always liked British humor.  ...And British horror for that matter.  I guess I just like British films generally.

Tony Van Helsing said...

I'll look out for this, although us Brits do tend to churn out too many London-based gangster films.

Jack L said...

Funny you should review this as just today I got my hands on three British crime films. Sexy Beast, Layer Cake and Gangster No1.
I might as well get this one while I'm at it...

Heythere said...

looks intense

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yes it does seem to be a crowded genre, but this one is unlike any of the others.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Nice.  Of those, I've only seen Sexy Beast, but I very much enjoyed it.  Ben Kingsley is downright scary in it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

And that is exactly how I felt when first discovering it.  Watching hipster blabbering does get tiring very fast.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

No, must be a coincidence.  I know of the site but have not visited in awhile.

This one isn't exactly mumblecore, just has that kind of feel to it.  The difference is things actually happen in this film. 

blahblahblahtoby said...

i've seen all three and now seen down terrace. this one is nothing like those movies and shouldn't be viewed in context with them. it is closer to the work of mike leigh or ken loach updated for The Inbetweeners generation.

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