Jersey Affair

I had wanted to see this for ages. I finally caught it on E4. The adverts sucked, but the film was even better than I anticipated. I knew it would be good, but figured I'd be let down. Not so. I'm looking forward to watching it again (without the ads).

What a great movie: storytelling, sounddesign and photography was spot on to contribute to each scene. I honestly didn't expect that quality before watching it! And I haven't been that captivated by a movie for a long time! The acting was just top notch all around! Jessie Buckley's performance in particular was breathtaking and intense! I've known her from Taboo, but I guess I will have to check out the rest of her work now! Highly recommended if you like movies that don't follow the beaten track of predictable character development and lazy storylines!

Don't read about it - just watch it - you are wondering who is the real beast from beginning until the end. Beautiful ___location, the unrealistic supporting cast actually adds to the intrigue. This thing could have had many endings, the one used is fitting.

Superb acting was necessary for this subtle, gripping and intriguing drama, and it was there. Two leads were superb and you really didn't know who was the murderer, but even more importantly, the way it delved into the psychology of those that have regrets for past bad actions and feelings of lack of support and confinement is excellent.

I don't believe what is being done here has ever been done in a film before, at least not as well, in empathising with characters and behaviours we don't really understand.

Don't worry, this is not a gruesome or horrific or jumpy film. It simply keeps you wondering about the main lead relationship, and especially the female's conflicted feelings between love and trusting whether her charismatic boyfriend is a killer or not; at the same time dealing with her own inner demons and trying to get a taste of freedom and excitement denied to her by her oppressive family.

Excellent writing, excellent story, some subtle but beautiful metaphor (plucking out the single ugly hair on her chin). Nice scenary of Jersey and though a form of 'murder mystery' the depth and character development/understanding gives a far far different feeling than Bergerac.

I recommend this film to adults (children won't understand depth of self questioning characters go through) and those that like an intriguing and realistic and slightly disturbing story. I hope it was a contender for film of the year.

Moll is a young woman living at home in a small community. She feels stifled by her family after a tragic incident when she was thirteen. She falls for a passing stranger named Pascal Renouf with a dark side. Young girls are going missing and a serial killer is suspected on the loose.

Jessie Buckley is intriguing. Johnny Flynn is a classic bad boy. All he's missing is a motorcycle. The movie starts with Moll's birthday party. It would be informative to declare loudly Moll's age to fix the power dynamics of her character with her family. I assumed her to be younger at the beginning which makes a big difference. There is a great brooding dark atmosphere. A few of the scenes travel in the style of horrors. I assumed a shocking twist which would have Moll as the killer. That could have been a fun reveal. The ending is fine. It's darkly haunting if a little safe. Overall, this has a great tone and solid performances.