Review of For Those in Peril (2013) by Peter C — 13 Nov 2013

FOR THOSE IN PERIL...

One fucked up little film about one fucked up little mind which, although visually striking and thoroughly engrossing, is at times in danger of wallowing in its own morbidity and marvelling in its pseudo-authenticity and avant-garde cinematography. (My, that was a wordy summation.).

The setting: a small rural fishing community whose inhabitants solely and strangely speak in a thick Glaswegian brogue. A sort of reverse Highland Clearance. Call it a Weegie Invasion. Or better still a creative team who couldn't be arsed or didn't think it was important to reflect the myriad of voices which make up these islands.

The plot: a tragic fishing accident has claimed the lives of several young men and the protagonist, who is the sole survivor and brother of one of the victims, struggles to come to terms with what has happened and assimilate back into society.

The drama: all is not what it seems, the accident is shrouded in mystery, the community suspect foul play and the finger of blame points firmly at the protagonist. Is he guilty? Is he innocent? Is he in denial? Or is he a victim of a society which has forgotten how to love?

A good nitty gritty drama, I hear you cry. And indeed it is. But the manner in which it unfolds cinematographically is both wonderful and frustrating in equal measure. Think We Need To Talk About Kevin.

Striking visual imagery and metaphor (a whale is a man) splice one too many flashbacks and over-extended sequences of shaky hand-held camera shots. For the first half hour, they grow increasingly wearisome. But if you stick around long enough for the second half (some didn't), their effectiveness grows to the point of high art.

At the end of the film, when the final haunting image cuts to black, one young guy in the audience uttered "what?" in a loud and head-scratchingly perplexed manner. Eager to find out what he and his friends thought, on the way out I slowed my step and listened in.

Male 1: What was that all about?

Male 2: What? The ending or the film?

Male 1: Both.

Male 2: I don't know.

I think I do. Which is not to say, "nah, nah, nah-nah, nah, aren't I a smarty pants". But I think their confusion and my recognition reflects both the film's strengths and weaknesses. It is not a run-of-the-mill crowd-pleaser. It is brave, bold and unapologetically complex, asking more questions than it answers. And, in a strange albeit frustrating way, also kind of beautiful.

3/5.