Genres

Visitors Review

bob the moo 2013-05-16 03:11:55

A quite continental feel in a silence film about missed opportunities

A woman is dressing a window in Selfridges, London when she spots a manin the street outside with a clipboard. The man is trying, without muchsuccess, to stop people and ask them questions – she starts to laugh athis failures to do this and she is entertained until he spots herwatching him. When he sees her, he isn't angry or annoyed but actuallyplays up to her as they flirt and laugh on either sides of the glass –however how long can this state of affairs continue?Starting out with very French sounding music, this whole film has moreof the feel of an experimental short film about love as opposed to ashort comedy filming out the front window of Selfridges! The basic ideaof the short is a comedy but it is also rather touching in a pleasantmanner that took me by surprise. The film isn't that funny but it israther 'nice' if that's not too bland a description. The directionfilms through coloured glass at times to good effect and we pretty muchalways see the other action through the glass, meaning the film issilent aside from some street noise. This all worked for me and gavethe film a cool feel.When the ending comes it is simple and yet somehow rather sad – hard todescribe but it worked! The cast don't have a terrible lot to do butthey both manage to feel pretty natural. McBurney looks as put-upon andtragic as many of those who do his character's job do and hisexcitement and playfulness is obvious, as he has made a connection witha woman who looks like Headey. Headey just laughs and smiles along and,aside from looking stunning, she has little to actually do.Overall this is a simple but enjoyable little short film that, whilenot great, is enjoyable while you watch it and has a rather bittersweetending that maybe shouts 'seize the day' to young lovers everywhere.The music gives it a continental feel and certainly the idea of youngpeople laughing and enjoying themselves with strangers on sun-sweptstreets is not something I would picture taking place on the coldpavements outside a London clothes shop!