I don’t do this often enough…
I watched a movie tonight that I thought was very good. I don’t know when I got the urge to rent Cashback, a 2006 film adapted from the Acedemy Award-nominated short film of the same name, but I think it had something to do with iTunes. One of those advertisements you see in the iTunes Store maybe. One day, I saw it, and it was trying to rear me towards a catalog of short films nominated for the 2006 Academy Awards. I think I clicked on Cashback, watched a preview, and then filed said memory away.
It could be that. Or it could have something to do with Sean Biggerstaff, the Scottish actor perhaps best known for his role as Gryffindor Quidditch team captain Oliver Wood, the main attraction of the Harry Potter films, at least for me. Anyways, I made it a note to rent Cashback and I finally got around to it tonight.
The film is excellent. It was a beautiful film that artfully weaves in fantasy and reality without coming off as a hokey as a comic book film or fantasy/horror picture. On top of that, the cinematography is beautiful and the actors are very likable.
Sorry, I’m a bit rusty at this, but here goes…
The film centers around Ben Willis, an art student living in the UK who has just ended things with his girlfriend. After a few days, her quick recovery over their relationship leaves him winded and heart broken, and Ben develops chronic insomnia. Not hard to believe, of course. How cruel a world do we live in that we are denied sleep as an escape from the thorns of a bitter break up?
Anyways, Ben decides that, since he’s got an extra eight hours every day to burn, he might as well get some cash for it. As a result he takes a night job at Sainbury’s supermarket, along with a slate of other wily characters who flee to the nocturnal hours in their own vain attempts to pass the time.
Ben also finds safe harbor in this place, but he sees different opportunities for his time than hiding from clocks or horsing around. Time moves quickest for Ben when he freezes it — examining each second to uncover its deepest and most guarded beauty. The short film captured this unique story well, and it would seem to be the best place for such a story to remain. I think the 2006 film, however, expands on this narrative vein well and ultimately brings it to a poised and beautiful ending.
Yeah, I might be wrong. There was a lot of female nudity, but you did get to see Sean without his shirt on, so I think that balances it out. I’m well aware I probably have the minority opinion in this arena, but I liked the film. It’s the first film in a while that’s brought me here to rant about it. Also it’s the first catch on Netflix that actually had my fingers on my temple instead of on my iPod or the kitty’s head.
Maybe it’s worth a spin, yes? Now if only I could see Into The Wild or Control.
Oh, and I’m still around! I’m planning an update very soon.