Brief summary: A Youtube short film telling the mini story of a younger trainee nurse who is attempting to travel to Newark, USA to meet his long distance boyfriend, Charlie, for the first time, yet ends up sharing a hotel bed with a disgruntled homophobic American on his way to a cowboy funeral.
One of the first matters to discuss would be the purpose behind this film. Though Charlie's short films can occasionally be genuinely lacking a moral, given the controversy of the topics portrayed here, this felt like there should have been a different, deeper moral to it than just 'don't judge people by their appearances or sexualities'. I guess it raises the issue of 'bigots are people too', in some way, but I'm not really sure that's the healthiest message to take away from it.
Jack played a really sweet character in the film, and I think what was interesting about his acting is that, from having watched him as Youtuber, you anticipate the sarcasm and the fast wit, something his character goes without. However, looking at his character from an objective point of view, it becomes a natural and believable role.
I also think they really captured the feel of staying in a hotel, and being away from home in a new country, emphasizing how alienating it can be to be the only Brit in town. The theme of isolation really was highlighted here, in having such a minimal cast and location. Only two sets, two featured characters, the third only contactable by phone, one homosexual, one heterosexual (arguable), one room, one hotel, one bed...Much like Charlie's first film 'The Tea Chronicles', the lonliness and isolation of the characters are keenly but subtly felt, as both the hotel-room guests and the tea drinking housemates appear to have little to no connection to the outside community; unlike his second film 'OFFLINE' in which this isolation is forced and much more of a prominent and exaggerated theme.
In terms of contextual dialogue I loved Jack's throw away line 'do you want some chocolates? They're British' as that completely summaries the self-conceit of British tourism. We love to travel, but we also all believe you love to have us in your country. We know we're British and adorable. We know everybody loves a Brit. We will rub that in your face until you chase us round the room with an erection and a cowboy hat.
Not sure how many points can be awarded for Charlie's American accent, however, this in no way impacts the characterisation of his relationship with Jack. It's a very sweet, awkward and charming coupling, which is great, and though more back story would've been great, from a few simple lines 'you can explain it to my parents then' 'it's my first time here' 'we're in the same continent!' the audience can fully understand the basics of their fledgling relationship.
Another minor point of criticism (only a teeny tiny one) is that I feel labeling it as part 'comedy' seems to be pushing it a little. Whilst not a solidly dry and solemn performance, it's raucous comedy aspects are a little lacking. However, I do fully understand the lack of suitable genres for a film such a this one. Drama, definetly, however this is more of a politically spoken film, rather than a comic one.
On the soft comic scenes they did include (e.g. Jack in the bath) they timed well, and shot well, in fact. The entire production can't be faulted, as the minimalist set only enhances the audience's focus on the lines and characters involved. The secondary actor to be praised would be John Christian Bateman, as homophobic American roommate Bill. He plays a brilliant role here, and matches the complex part exactly (without meaning to offend him of course).The casting there is a particular highlight of the production.
Overall, enjoyable, easy to watch, though it may take a few watches for the full effect to really set in. If anything, the realest of the saga, and yet the most simplistic.
