The Spin

Every year the Belfast Film Festival makes the effort to put some truly independent small scale Irish productions on the map, and this year’s The Spin, directed by first-timer Michael Head (whom some viewers will be familiar with from his acting work), is one of the better ones. It follows best friends and record shop proprietors Dermot (Brenock O’Connor) and Elvis (Owen Colgan) as they embark on a cross-country quest to save their business and the former’s relationship with his daughter, and though the story is simple, the likeable characters and lively banter make it an enjoyable watch.

Like many entrepreneurs who do what they do for love more than for money, our heroes have found themselves struggling to make rent, and their magnificently attired but empathy-challenged landlady Sadie (Tara Lynne O’Neill) is threatening to turn Boneyard Records into a nail salon. Fortunately for them, they’ve learned of a record whose sale could net them several thousand pounds – if only they can collect it before a strict deadline. Elvis hopes that the money will also enable him to buy the pony he has foolishly promised to young Lily, who adores him but whose mother, his ex, is seriously running out of patience. Unbeknownst to the lads, though, Sadie plans to take advantage of their absence to sell the whole building to a developer.

Music is an important element in the film, and Dermot’s frustrated musical ambitions come to the fore after he gets the chance to perform a song onstage with an old friend, but the glue that holds the film together if friendship itself. The warmth between the two leads keeps us rooting for them as everything seems to be going against them, often due to their own poor decisions. There are also a number of charming encounters along the way. They get into scrapes, but generous choices are rewarded, and help sometimes comes from unexpected quarters.

Though it touches on more adult themes as a source of further comedy, the film is suitable for all ages, with a good balance of jokes and observations that young and old alike can relate to. Its low budget shows in places and there’s the occasional bit of ropey acting, but overall it’s an impressive effort; and whilst the plot may not contain many surprises, that’s not really the point. This is a shaggy dog story, willfully meandering before winding its way home in satisfying fashion.