Totally Killer, mixes a little 80's nostalgia, with a campy slasher flick.
Its not a bad formula and it mostly works, but only in a functional sense. That is, this film is competently done but the core cinematic elements that are supposed to help drive this film forward, are a little lacking in places.
The 80's nostalgia, one of the key ingredients, lacks flavour. That is to say, there is not a lot that speaks directly to the 1980's, save a dash of period specific music and a degree of political incorrectness, not seen in today's up tight society. I personally think they could have gone further and done a lot more, to really bring home that 80's atmosphere.
The slasher side of this flick, is actually handled a lot better and even manages to throw in a twist, I did not seeing coming. So well done there.
Acting is above average too and that also helps to elevate this flick a smidgen above its numerous slasher film peers.Sensibly too, whilst Totally Killer, can be graphic it dodges being gruesome, which is appropriate given its black comedy vibe.
In summary, inherently watchable if you like the lighter side of horror/slasher flicks but fails to conjure enough 80's nostalgia to really make it special.

It's another clone movie, same story as many other harvest movies just changed actors and names. Mostly I hate decorations on everything, kitchen, living room, porch, bedroom, city,...
Movie is made by very lazy people without any inspiration.

Hilarious that on the day Amazon announce the introduction of ads (or a 35% uplift in your monthly fee) that this nonsense hits the small screen. It purports to be a comedy, but I'm not sure what language you'd have to be speaking in order to get any humour out of this contrived and weakly devised action "thriller". Journalist "Claire" (Alison Brie) hires security specialist "Mason" (John Cena) to accompany her on a trip to a jungle dictatorship where she is to interview the president. Upon arrival they meet the suave and debonaire "Venegas" (Juan Pablo Raba) who has his own golden gun - a little less subtle than that of Christopher Lee! Anyway, no sooner do they land than they find themselves caught up in a coup led by an ambitious but cowardly nephew and must now traipse through the jungle trying to stay one step ahead of the military and of the mercenaries who may or may not be on someone's side! This is just a badly conceived mess of a film with the mediocre acting matched only by some dreadful dialogue amidst a repetitive series of ambushes, shoot-outs and a denouement that rather summed up this confused and derivative story. It's too long, but I'm not sure where you'd stop cutting if you started, so I'd have to recommend that you just go find an episode or two of the "A Team" and sink some Malbec instead.

Great movie!

#MovieReview #WonkaMovie #Wonka
Let me start by saying that this movie is truly amazing from start to finish. It stands out for its focus on a fantastic storyline without any political agenda, overly emphasized themes, or unnecessary controversies. Instead, it offers a captivating narrative, an exceptional cast, and outstanding music.
From the beginning, this movie is a delightful treat, filled with delicious surprises and exquisite chocolates. It brings the joy of craving candy, even though Willy Wonka's confectioneries are not widely available, adding to the allure.
While the film incorporates comedy, it strikes a balance, avoiding excessive cheesiness. The cast, including actors I initially doubted, delivers phenomenal performances throughout.
The emotional depth of Willy Wonka's character, from his childhood trauma to his aspirations for success, is portrayed with authenticity. The movie sheds light on his motivations for owning a chocolate factory, a detail not fully explored in previous adaptations.
Throughout the film, you'll find yourself laughing, smiling, and even shedding a few tears during the poignant moments. The charm and magic of the movie truly come alive on the big screen, making it a must-watch in theaters. Timothée Chalamet impresses with his acting and surprising singing abilities.
Similar to the original films, this adaptation strikes a balance between storytelling and musical numbers. The music enhances the narrative without overshadowing the plot, enriching the overall experience.
The iconic song sung by Chalamet towards the end of the movie evokes nostalgia and captures the essence of the Willy Wonka legacy, resonating with fans of all ages.
I highly recommend experiencing this film in theaters for the full cinematic experience. I eagerly anticipate a potential sequel exploring Willy Wonka's future, especially with Hugh Grant's rumored involvement as an Oompa Loompa.
So, grab your candy, settle in with your popcorn, and savor this excellent cinematic

This is 100 procent the best Wonka movie. Theres alot of exciting moments in the movie which I appreciate.

Timothée Chalamet's subtle but heartfelt performance of a young Wonka helped to offset the depressingly intriguing world of this prequel. Willy is a mysterious and flamboyant character, disconnected from the harshness of reality by the magic of a childhood dream, which matches the subtle facial expressions he uses, per the (stellar) acting direction. The notes of nostalgia and whimsy make this a 10/10!
The musical score is something else as well, with sound effects and subtle humor mixed into nearly every song, background or not. The music alone gives this movie re-watch value.

After so many years I wonder if the majority of people have seen the original (comedy / musical) movie of 71, that is a classic. I myself was a bit worried when I saw the announce for this one (haven't watchet a single trailer).
Oh how I was wrong - Timothée Chalamet's Willy Wonka is just perfect on how he emulates the original Wonka by Richard Gere plus the musical and dance scenes aren't bad at all.
To those who knew the original movie, this gets the start of life of Wonka as a chocolatier, and fill many gaps on the original story - but not all, one being the personality he achieved later and the later relation with the OOmpa Loompa.
The movie is just a delight - every little character have its little part and backstory and the story is a family friendly one with all the magic of the original. Even the secondary characters are good choices and all relates in perfect tune.
To those who don't know, the character was original from a book "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' a 1964 children's novel by Roald Dahl, that had a sequence (a crazy one btw, in 1972). Many politically incorrect terms were already omitted in the 1971 book.
The movie gets outside of those, being more a spiritual prequel film for the 71 one, exploring Willy Wonka's origins in 2023. And remembering the 2005 remake of the original by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka.
As a complimentary note, the Dahl's family agreed with Netflix to expand the Wonka universe on a series of animations for the streaming channel.
The movie gets a 7.7 out of 10.o for be a B+.

Unfortunately, this movie fails marvelously. It has such incredible potential. The imagined prequel is consistent with Ronald Dahl's charm and wit. Timothee Chalamet’s performance was sensational. The supporting cast including Keegan Michael Keye, Patterson Joseph, Hugh Grant, Olivia Coleman and Jim Carter were all at their best.
The film falls short with the casting director's (Nina Gold's) attempt to find new talent in a novice actress named Calah Lane who stars in the movie opposite Timothee Chalamet as the character known as Noodle. The character itself is drawn well but the performance is so dreadful by Lane that it single-handedly destroys what could and should have been a classic prequel to Dahls original masterpiece. Lane throws out all her lines without any emotion and spends no time listening to her supporting cast. The writing becomes meaningless and almost immediately you do not find yourself caring about the Noodle character at all. This becomes quickly distracting to any audience member who has an inclination to invest in the story or other characters in the movie. The film completely dies and falls short on this one performance because the character of Noodle is drawn in such a way that her present and future well-being is central to the strength of the story's momentum.
One has to blame the casting director Nina Gold first. Nina Gold's work on projects like Bad Sisters, Game of Thrones and The Crown has been quite exceptional but in terms of finding new talent for this prospective cinema masterpiece just is not consistent with her previous achievements. I would also say that the failure of this film should also fall on Director Paul King's shoulders who also needs to bare the burden of this complete and utter disaster of a decision to put poor Calah Lane in this role and have all of us suffer this miserable performance and ultimately crushing blow to Roald Dahl's reputation as a storyteller and great wit.

**A Sweet Delight for All Ages - Wonka Movie Review**
I recently had the pleasure of watching the latest cinematic treat, Wonka, and I must say it's a delightful experience that caters to audiences of all ages. As a busy software engineer with a penchant for quality family time, I couldn't have asked for a better choice for our movie night.
From the moment the film began, it whisked us away on a whimsical journey into the magical world of Wonka's chocolate factory. The visual spectacle and attention to detail were captivating, and I found myself marveling at the creativity on screen. The vibrant colors and imaginative set designs truly brought the beloved story to life.
What sets Wonka apart is its ability to strike a perfect balance between nostalgia for those familiar with the classic tale and a fresh, modern twist that keeps the storyline engaging. The characters are charming, and the casting choices are spot-on. Timothee Chalamet as Wonka brings a new energy to the character, and his performance is both endearing and entertaining.
I came across this movie at :
https://mustwatchmovies.xyz/movie/114901/wonka
One aspect that stood out to me, as someone deeply involved in technology, was the seamless integration of CGI and practical effects. The visual effects team did a commendable job, creating a world that felt both magical and believable. The attention to detail, from the intricate machinery in the factory to the playful Oompa Loompas, was truly commendable.
Wonka is not just a feast for the eyes; it also delivers a heartwarming message about the importance of imagination, creativity, and the joy of shared experiences. As someone who manages an affiliate network and values family time, I can confidently recommend this movie for a fun-filled outing with loved ones.
In conclusion, Wonka is a cinematic delight that appeals to the child in all of us. Whether you're a parent looking for a wholesome family film or just someone who appreciates a well-crafted story, this movie is a must-see. Grab your tickets, some popcorn, and treat yourself to a heartwarming adventure that will leave you with a sweet taste of nostalgia.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-paul-kings-wonka-musical-is-a-truly-delightful-origin-story/
"Wonka offers a fresh perspective on the iconic character while paying homage to Roald Dahl's timeless tale of morality.
Paul King succeeds in delivering a jolly, entertaining, visually dazzling take on the origins of Willy Wonka, featuring a fearlessly committed cast, tons of humor, and colorful, immersive technical achievements.
Despite the predictable, formulaic narrative lacking the same creativity of other filmmaking departments, it remains a sweet, harmonious, satisfying viewing experience that should be seen on the big screen."
Rating: B+

Enjoyed this!
2023's 'Wonka' is very good! It's an original story based upon the Roald Dahl novel, so it isn't an adaptation as such like the 1971 and 2005 flicks. With that I didn't find it quite as interesting as what's portrayed in the aforementioned films, but I do appreciate (and prefer, tbh) that they went a different way with it here. And it comes out nicely.
Timothée Chalamet gives a strong performance in the lead role. Those behind Chalamet are entertaining, from Calah Lane to Keegan-Michael Key to the trio of Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Mathew Baynton - the latter three's dance number for the Chief of Police near the beginning is amusing. The musical elements in general are solid.
Tom Davis and Olivia Colman are fun too. All characters played by those mentioned above after Lane could've easily have been extremely cringey, but thankfully I didn't find that to be the case for any of them at all - very well written, shown and cast in that regard.
Someone I have yet to mention is a certain someone as Lofty, an Oompa-Loompa. Hugh Grant is excellent as the orange-skinned, green-haired fellow, even if they did use Grant's best bits in the trailers; which I usually avoid due to those sort of (albeit minor) spoilers, but evidently failed to do so here.
All in all, I'd say this is a success. Credit to them for delivering, especially as I was kinda nonplussed by the already noted trailers (Grant aside).

The opening bars of "Pure Imagination" give us a clue as to what's coming next, and for the most part it's a strong testament to the engaging and charismatic man playing the eponymous chocolatier. He arrives is a town controlled by a chocolate cartel that is determined to use any means possible to ensure he can't fulfil his dream. That dream? Well ever since he was a child, he has wanted to make chocolate as well as his mother (Sally Hawkins). To do that, though, he needs a shop - and without a silver sovereign to his name that's not going to happen. It's winter, so his first order of business is somewhere to sleep. Luckily (?!?) "Bleacher" (Tom Davis) finds him on a cold bench and takes him to the welcoming arms of "Mrs. Scrubbit" (Olivia Colman) who offers him a bed for the night, though pretty soon he realises it's more of a bed in return for a life of indentured laundry servitude. Still, he's ingenious and he doesn't lose sight of his goal, so together with his fellow inmate "Noodle" (Calah Lane) and book-keeper "Abacus Crunch" (Jim Carter) they concoct a plan to addict the population to the young man's sweets whilst bringing down the evil trio of truffle terrorisers and ensuring "Scrubbit" and "Bleacher' get their comeuppance too!. Meantime "Wonka" has other problem. Someone is pinching his product! An elaborate trap and a large jar introduce us to a tiny "Oompa-Loompa" (Hugh Grant) who looks like he's spent way too long on the sun-bed. With his own debt to pay, the two agree an alliance that - well we all know what happens to that. It's a little over-choreographed, I think, and the original songs are not especially memorable, but it doesn't hang about and there's no doubting that Chalamet is enjoying himself, and that's a little bit contagious and we head to a denouement that takes fondue to a ridiculous level... It features a strong and well matched ensemble cast and though maybe a little too long, I did enjoy it.

Nice film, the central couple doesn't have good chemistry, the locations are good and the simple production is ok.
For a romance, it lacked a certain greater drama since they are only "spoken" and not shown, it's a modest film, kind of like a soap opera but it doesn't irritate us, you can watch it, it's a calm film and in a way honest in what it promises, greetings

Pretty good but pretty pointless, as well made but not as good as any of the other hungry games. Essentially a cash grab hidden in a good film. Some good performances though 3.5/5

Great movie. Hunger games never disappoint.

I was thoroughly enjoying this... until it absolutely nosedives during the latter half.
'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' starts off so strongly, continuing at a pleasant pace as it encompasses the Hunger Games itself. However, from the end of the event it truly does drop off a cliff out of nowhere. The film gives you a major high of action with the games, then drops the tempo down to such a slow first act-esque pace that it feels extremely tacked on.
I did enjoy the cast throughout, mostly. Tom Blyth is excellent, first time I've seen him properly in a film and I was very impressed; though even his performance suffers with the aforementioned, which for him is from the point that he becomes The Real Slim Shady, seemingly (his originally look is so much better). Still, I'm eager to see that guy act further.
Rachel Zegler is largely good, though does chew the scenery quite a bit in parts; predominantly when singing. Viola Davis is great, while Peter Dinklage is underused but still a positive. Jason Schwartzman and Josh Andrés Rivera, meanwhile, are solid enough supports.
Just a shame about the final act. It's not necessarily that bad in itself, but to lower the pace that sharply after such prolonged thrill is a recipe for disaster. So much so that it makes the whole part drag hard, or perhaps 'twas just so for me?

This movie was sooooo long and had way too much singing, a bunch of which was very cringey. The romance between Snow and Lucy wasn't believable at all and I guess Snow was just a total psychopath all along anyway, so maybe that part was intentional. Anyway, it was all pretty boring and the actual "hunger games" in this one were really lame and uninspired. I don't recommend putting this ham on your face.

With its heartbreaking origin story that depicts the fall of President Snow, **The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes** is the ideal masterpiece of a frightening origin story collection. The adaptation of the novel to the movie was done so well that it is really remarkable. A very high quality cinematography is present. Rachel Zegler is the personification of Lucy Gray, while Tom Blyth is a leading man.
What an amazing experience it was! The whole auditorium was sitting on the edge of their seats, completely silent, and just appreciating the movie. Everything in the film was flawless, including the narrative, the acting, the music, and the allusions.
In the first place, I feel it is necessary to offer my daughter, Rachel Zegler, some praise. Her performance as Lucy Gray gave the impression that she had actually torn her off the page. Rachel did a wonderful job of portraying Lucy Gray, who was the epitome of perfection, and I don't believe anybody else could have achieved the same level of success. Rachel's singing is even more incredible than her acting, by a significant margin. It is common knowledge that Rachel is an incredible vocalist, but the way she sings in this film leaves me feeling as if I had never heard her voice before. She is such a powerhouse of an actor, and I am so thrilled to watch her succeed in this production. The fact that she sang everything live on set is another reason why I am so proud of her. In my view, this is without a doubt her finest performance so far.
Following that, I feel compelled to call attention to the outstanding performance that Tom Blyth gave as Snow. He did a fantastic job of taking what Donald Sutherland had done with the role and giving it his own spin while still making it his own interpretation of the character. On Snow, Tom was able to bring out both the charming and the insane aspects of her personality. I found his acting to be particularly noteworthy in the third act of the movie, particularly the moment in which he was seen in the woods with Lucy Gray. The manner in which Tom was able to incorporate everything of Snow's inner monologue that is shown to us in the novel into his facial expressions was absolutely stunning. He did an excellent job in this function.
When it comes to this film, there are a lot of other things that I could simply enthuse about. Every single one of the other performers had outstanding performances, and they were all outstanding. On top of that, the music is really fantastic. It is impossible for me to adequately express why I feel the desire to have the music of this movie infused into my veins. The soundtrack was so powerful that it brought tears to my eyes even at the very beginning of the film, when there was nothing that was really occurring at that point!!!! In addition, I would like to draw attention to the outstanding costume design that was done for this film.
This movie brought us back into the realm of Panem, and it seemed as if we had never left! There were so many things and individuals that worked together to make this happen. The movie was really stunning, thanks to the stunning performances, locations, costumes, and music that Olivia Rodrigo contributed, among other things.
Since the first nostalgic film in the series, which was released in 2012 and starred Jennifer Lawrence as the legendary songbird mockingjay herself, Katniss Everdeen, this has quickly become my favorite installment in the series. All things considered, this is a smashing success for moviegoers and movie aficionados alike; you should not miss it when it is shown on the big screen.

one of the best installments to the Hunger Games series. it’s definitely the darkest and most political entry to the saga. act III could have been more fleshed out, but it doesn’t detract from the story the film is telling. act III was the most compelling segments in aspects of Coriolanus Snow’s villain origins.
if you're a fan of political dramas or a character study or just a huge fan of the Hunger Games series, this is the film for you. excellent casting, excellent music, and deliciously evil performances.

I couldn't help wondering if Francis Lawrence had just asked for that "Tom fella..." "You know..." The casting director didn't realise he meant that "Tom fella" from "Harry Potter" and got Tom Blyth instead. There's an uncanny resemblance with the blonde floppy hair and the rather linear facial expressions. Indeed, despite a promising (if frustrating) shower scene at the top of the film, Blyth ("Coryo") is really what drags this otherwise quite decent action adventure film down. Rachel Zegler, on the other hand, is full of enthusiasm as her "Lucy Gray" character is selected to fight for District 12 in the "Hunger Games". Meantime, "Dean Highbottom" (the infrequently used Peter Dinklage) has come up with a way to spike the dwindling television ratings. He has decided to allocate one of his top students to mentor each of the captives. Yep - "Coryo" is put with "Lucy Gray". A bit of sabotage changes the nature of the game and gradually our hero starts to wonder if he is on the right side - especially when he becomes a little too emotionally involved with his protégé and attracts the enmity of his own erstwhile mentor. Luckily, the whole scenario is being overseen by the hammily menacing "Volumnia Gaul" (Viola Davis) who is clearly having a ball with industrial scale make up and a barrel of genetically modified snakes. The last twenty minutes smacks a little too much of sequel building, but this film has plenty of action and intrigue, loads of back-stabbing and just a little moralising. Zegler delivers a few folky style ballads confidently and generally does a lively enough job keeping it quite a bit better than I was expecting. It needs a cinema, though - the grand scale effects and photography work best that way. On the television it will probably just come across as a bit derivative.

"Vinsent" is a ginger cat who finds himself stranded on an island populated only by a rather savage, but dumb, dog and by a mouse. They inhabit a grand old mansion house where their daily routine is quite literally that - routine! Anyway, a storm comes along and this causes their home to crumble into the sea leaving the cat and his mouse friend "Moris" floating the seas inside a piano! Luckily, that's picked up by a tanker and next thing, they are in the world renowned Hermitage museum in St Petersburg and 'Vinsent" is dragooned into a herd of other cats whose mission is to protect the priceless artwork. Needless to say, "Moris" finds his life now somewhat more perilous - especially as he has a penchant for dining on the fabric of fine art. The "Mona Lisa" is coming to visit and so everyone is on alert, security is heightened - bit still, it gets stolen. All fingers point to the mouse, but is there something more sinister going on that "Vinsent" can get to the bottom of? The animation here is all pretty basic, but it's still quite an enjoyably daft adventure with plenty going on, a few red herrings and just a little romance with the glamorous - if slightly curiously animated - "Kleopatra" before a denouement that I can think of plenty of "art" I'd want to volunteer for. I'm surprised this got an UK cinema release, and it's not really for children. Worth a watch, though.

'Trolls Band Together' is a better watch than 'Trolls World Tour', even if it still makes for forgettable viewing for me. The characters of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake remain likeable leads, they star in a story that is slightly more interesting than last time out.
I must say, and this isn't a major deal given these flicks don't exactly aim to be anything more than light family entertainment, that the worldbuilding in these films is rather rubbish. It feels like all three movies are set in differing universes, they look and feel like separate things.
That pink eye joke, if only due to Kenan Thompson's part in it as Tiny Diamond, did make me laugh, so at least it produced something. Otherwise, these sequels have fallen flat; not made for me and all that, I know.

The movie starts of well with good musical dance, the strength of Jr NTR's stylish and energetic dancing is always a thrilling experience. The passion of Anand in environmental concern shifted to helping community because of the need of Satyam appears inconsistent with his initial environmental stand. However the interplay of Satyam, his son and his nephew became central later in the story. The music and cinematography are good enough to make this movie a compelling one to watch.

Good Movie

Joshua and Benji are identical twins who have just finished high school Aged twenty. The former is a budding trombonist obsessed with getting laid, the latter, more a drummer, with finding something more in the true love vein. They are close yet spar and squabble like most siblings, but Joshua's behaviour is more erratic. He's more prone to foul-mouthed tantrums and strops and is, frankly, a pain in the ass. Might a spell in the army calm them down? National service beckons and that might impose some discipline on the pair - but somehow, I wouldn't bank on it. The problem here for me is two-fold. Firstly, why was this documentary made in the first place? I assumed that both had some learning difficulties but as the project evolved I wasn't sure if that were true or if they were just hyperactively obnoxious. There is no real clarity from the film-makers as to what/who we are watching. Secondly. The camera is everywhere. Fellini couldn't have placed his photographer better and that robs the film of much authenticity - it looks staged. The scenarios look thoroughly rehearsed and almost perfectly choreographed. Some of the imagery is even treated and by the mid-point of this overlong fly-on-the-wall look at the struggles faced by the boys, I wasn't quite sure what was real and what was not. I watched it largely starved of context and felt a little adrift of the thrust of their story by the end.

"Lei Yu" (the competent Yibo Wang) is an aspiring test pilot who is selected to take part in a prestigious programme to improve the efficiency of the Chinese Air Force's jet fighters. A bit of rivalry with "Deng Fang" (Yosh Yu) and inspiration from their commander "Zhang" (Jun Hu) makes sure the young man and his equipment are tested to the extreme - but can he rise to the challenge? It certainly has a bit of the look of "Maverick" (2022) to it, with some impressive aerial photography and dog-fighting and it also tries to imbue something of the engineering and science to the plot - crediting the young airmen with skills well beyond just being able to fly a plane. Sadly, though, the producers just couldn't (or wouldn't) steer clear of the political jingoism that rather nauseatingly lauds the virtues of their Air Force against an unknown (English-speaking) foe that is constantly harassing and threatening them. By mid-way through I felt rather sorry for "Lei Yu" - to say he seemed a bit accident-prone would be like saying Jonah liked whales - so the fact that he survives at all is quite a remarkable feat! There's the merest hint of a romance with his doctor "Shen Tianran" (Dongyu Zhou) but for the most part this is all about a young man's determination to succeed. It's perfectly watchable with some decent production standards and had it kept off the flag-waving grass, it could have made for another example of well-enough made high-octane cinema. At times it just smacks too much of a party rallying cry though, and that lets it down.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.firstshowing.net/2023/review-chloe-domonts-fair-play-poignantly-tackles-gender-politics/
"Fair Play is an emotionally charged exploration of love, ambition, and gender dynamics. Chloe Domont thoughtfully addresses these themes, highlighting biases faced by successful women, the personal challenges of couples working in the same space, and the inevitable vulnerabilities that arise from these scenarios.
The dedicated performances from Phoebe Dyvenor and Alden Ehrenreich make it a gripping viewing experience, emphasizing the film's thought-provoking messages about gender politics and seeking equal recognition based on merit rather than gender.
The dramatic conclusion warrants heated debate…"
Rating: A-

"Emily" (Phoebe Dynevor) and fiancé "Luke" (Alden Ehrenreich) are a typically happy, professional, couple, recently engage and well loved up. Gossip is going around the office that "Luke" is destined for a promotion that will mean loads more cash for the pair and she seems delighted for him. Well, boss "Campbell" (Eddie Marsan) has other plans as he decides to give the job to her! Is he delighted? Well outwardly yes, but inwardly...? She is also uncertain. Not of her ability to do her new job, but of how to avoid bruising his increasingly obviously delicate ego. What now ensues is a rather fat-fetched eggshell dance that sees their relationship put under enormous pressure? Can it survive? Well, frankly I didn't care. The whole story seems contrived to create as much tension and distrust amongst the couple who at one stage are about to be married and at the next, well they might not cross the road to chat with each other. It takes a swipe at the greasy pole and at the whole corporate "getting-on" ethos, but in such a linear and unimaginative fashion. Way too many stereotypical attitudes and platitudes and by the end I was really quite uninterested in who got what, if anything, from this rather pedestrian and over-scripted melodrama. Sorry, perhaps I just wasn't in the mood - but this did nothing for me.

It’s amazing how one film can be predictable, implausible and preposterous all at the same time, but writer-director Chloe Domont’s debut feature manages to pull off this trifecta of lamentable attributes with remarkable ease. This alleged psychological thriller goes from bad to worse as its plot hole-filled story degenerates from a boring, clandestine office romance into an over-the-top envy-driven battle of egos when one partner unexpectedly gets promoted over the other at a prestigious Wall Street firm. The way in which this unfolds, though, is largely laughable, despite an underlying message that has some noteworthy merit (even if it’s a bit trite in this day and age). The picture might be more worth watching if the two protagonists (Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich) weren’t so inherently deplorable and portrayed with some of the hammiest on-screen acting I’ve seen in a long time. This is all made worse by one of the most awful scripts I’ve come across in a while, with almost as much tawdry, needlessly foul language since “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013). Put these qualities together and you’ve got an absolute work of utter trash that makes the prime time soap operas of the 1980s look like epic storytelling. Indeed, as far as how this one plays, all I can say is “No fair.”