My Accomplice

A whimsical romance of sorts, the kind that starts on a rail replacement bus to Brighton, My Accomplice is gentle, amusing, even twee. "Everyone is from somewhere else", observes Ilse, who describes herself as being from East Germany. She's caught the eye of Frank, from Scotland, and their romance of sorts drives the film.

This is chirpy, quirky, raising a wry smile or two from your reviewer but gales of laughter from others in the screening Eye For Film attended. With the production assisted by crowdfunding, this is a project that already has fans and will garner others, but it's an acquired taste.

Shot in Brighton (and not in Wivelsfield) it features the piers, the promenades, the bicycle-dripping backstreets, the bedsits and basements that so characterise the place. Perhaps the most surprising scene is the one where there's change after buying two pints. At least, once one's become used to the musical interludes, including a storming tune in an untraditional fashion by an act called Bob Wants His Head Back which is a highlight.

It's episodic, not negatively so, but it's got a distinct fits and starts shuffle to it, awkward silences and meaningful looks, two good performances from Stuart Martin and Alexandra Kalweit, central to an entertaining ensemble of oddballs. Writer/Director Charlie Weaver Rolfe at one point worked with adults with learning disabilities, which leads to a charming role for Special Olympic champion Kevin Woolley. It's praise-worthy, bold, genuine, and as with many self or crowd-financed films, brave.

Featuring works of art (Ilse struggles), a ridiculous fancy-dress party, a five-dimensional effort to get a bicycle up some stairs, My Accomplice is an enjoyable little story that bimbles along quite pleasantly and leaves one generally pleased for having watched it. That might sound like damning with faint praise, but there is an intent here, an achievement worth acknowledging. Brighton seems pretty fairly represented, in as much as your reviewer can judge from comparing it to the posts from his ex-flatmate on Facebook, and the messy business of liking someone seems pretty accurate too. With My Accomplice Charlie Weaver Rolfe and his partners in crime have created something that might not set the world on fire but also doesn't leave anyone wanting to burnt it all down. If nothing else it indicates a measure of talent and tenacity that should be recognised and, one hopes, rewarded with the chance to make more films.