Borrowed Time

[Beate]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1659612/

We had a bit of trouble finding the London Film School as the entrance is in a side road, but managed it eventually. Labyrinthic building, with the toilets miles away in the basement. Felt a bit like intruding on the students at first, a sentiment that turned on its head during the film when they just wouldn't shut up outside and the noise impinged on the screening as the room is not sound-proof.

There were only 22 people in the audience, with us 6 FMUKers making up the last row, which was the only one which was a bit higher than the rest of the rows. We got a questionnaire to fill in, which is when I realised that this was actually a test screening and not the finished product. I must say that the sound and the lighting really still need a lot of improvement, the sound veered wildly from quiet to insanely loud and the lighting went from darkish to bright in a second.

The film started confusing and not very promising, but it got better. It was quite uneven though, funny one moment, boring the next. The incompetent baddy provided most of the laughs, but they should have cut out Kevin's gang of up-to-no-good friends. The story's nothing new either, two people who have nothing in common become friends when thrown together by chance. Phil Davis is an excellent old codger though, with stuffed animals creepily taking up most of the room in his messy house.

I pity the person who has to evaluate OH's questionnaire though. He only ever knows one sentiment - either something's shit or it's brilliant, and he never goes into detail with any question ("Liked - everything. Disliked - nothing"). This time it seems to have been the latter. They also asked us what the last 3 films were we had seen and I had real trouble remembering, but upon checking my film list I am pleased to say I got it right!

6/10

[ejwrank]

This was very much a low budget work in process with a new director who was standing in the lobby/cafe on the way out along with the producer. They both seemed quite modest types and certainly didn't strut about and were very happy we had come to the preview and even thanked us for coming and filling in the questionnaires. I thought the lead and Phil Davies were both solid but agree that Kev's gang weren't convincing. We also thought the role of the sister was pretty wooden. But still it had merit and for the budget it seemed a better prospect than a lot of the big bucks films I've seen recently (and I'm looking at you Nicolas Cage!).

[prettyxcool]

The London Film School's entrance is actually on Langley Street, on the corner of Shelton Street, so while it's address is Shelton Street, meant we walked right passed, and totally missed it! Glad I bumped into Beate though as when I came up from Covent Garden into Shelton Street, was not sure whether to turn right or left but then saw Beate, and followed her.

The seats were a lot more comfortable than I anticipated. I found the chatting from outside annoying too, and at one stage, it sounded like they were moving furniture above my head!

However, yay, a test screening that I enjoyed. Needs some refining still as mentioned by Beate, the sound, the lighting and I found it difficult to understand some of the dialogue at the beginning. Some of the scenes were a bit absurd, but funny. Phil Davies, always good at playing cantankerous grumpy old men, played it well here, and I loved the little boy bringing some humour from a child's view. Bittersweet, tragic and funny. My plus 1 enjoyed it too. 7/10

[LondonCityNights]

Wow, this movie's been in development for a while huh? Nearly two years since you guys saw it!

Here's my review:

http://www.londoncitynights.com/2013/08 ... jules.html

Looks like they didn't fix any of your suggestions in the interim period. But still, nice to see a world that doesn't usually make it into cinemas.

[asamaic]

A film! I actually made it to a film!

I enjoyed this, but it wasn't quite right. The pacing was a little unsettling and I wasn't sure how seriously we were meant to take some of the characters. You could tell how low budget it was, but I think that added to the charm.

I'm glad I caught it tonight - it had its flaws, but it's still very watchable.

6/10

[newdot]

Decidedly OK.

The actor playing Kevin was v. good

Phil Davis was too young. too healthy looking, too clean & too well tanned for the role. Shame Steptoe is dead.

The bloke out of Luther was meh, Did ok given the dire role.

7/10

worth a watch (i would guess it will be on BBC3 very very soon, probably mid-week)

[biggins]

Funnier than expected. Loved the wire coat hanger because it came with the jersey! The little boy was very good and just like all kids that age he constantly asked "why?"

Phil Davis was excellent as the old guy. Well worth watching. 7/10

[martadelas]

In the beginning all I could think was "what am I doing here???" but it picked up and was not bad, with some genuinely funny bits, but then it had some boring moments as well. I think it would have made a better play than it made a movie.

4.5/10

[julieisbored]

Watched this in Sheffield, it initially filled up very quickly and staff asked everyone to move up so all the spare seats were together, 1 guy refused for ages leaving 1 seat on the aisle side and the rest against the wall. I felt so sorry for staff he made it very difficult for her but she handled it really well.
I was almost put off attending this because of the poor reviews but actually found it quite enjoyable, agreed it was more of a TV movie but will watch again when it makes it to BBC3lol
A respectable 7/10