Film Magazine Review Draft 3

Ben Bishop's new film, FILM NAME, could not contrast more in terms of its content with his debut film Blissful Torture. But whereas the two films differ in terms of representations being constructed and focused on, the same  empathy with the human condition underlies both productions. The protagonists of both films are yearning for change in their lives, and in both cases, this change is dependant on the consummation of a relationship with a young woman. While Masons’ situation typifies the battle between suppressed emotion and the need for contact with the opposite sex which dominates the adolescence of many young males, the relationship challenges faced by Ajax are made all the more complex by his agoraphobia. The bustling and crowded streets of Surrey - a far cry from the peaceful rural landscapes of BT -  are a striking metaphor for the heightened anxiety experienced by Ajax. In the casting of non professional actors, Bishop is staying true to his Social Realism roots through adhering to one of the more prominent conventions of the genre. Bishop really forms a bond with the actors he uses, their soulful performances are a testament to his ability to elicit fine performances from young people with little or no acting experience. We hear an echos of  Martina Amati’s, I do air (2009),  the loneliness and isolation experienced by the girl on account of her fear of water and depth in part reflects the importance ajax feels. Despite this similarity, both  the characters each come out of their shell in very different ways.  Whilst the girl in ‘I do Air’ transcends her fear with the help of other people, such as the scuba swimmers who join her, Ajax in Bishop’s film, is helped up to a point by his sister Zoe. Once she leaves him to his own devices, the high street Ajax must navigate becomes highly intimidating and almost labyrinth like as he is forced to complete his journey on his own. The key theme of isolation is ever being made clear to us through repetitive shots of Ajax looking lonely and stereotypically depressed, however there are some great shots that could have only been created through the excellent relationship between Bishop and new hotshot Patrick Pearson - a close friend of Bishop who has been awaiting his time to be in the spotlight.