Review of Third Star (2010) by Naomi S — 25 May 2011

I saw it today and loved it. One of those rare films which isn't afraid to discuss death and illness, impending loss and impermanence and suffering (the Buddhist in me loved this:). But it wasn't maudlin and too melancholy - it's also touching and hilariously funny at times. The acting is excellent and the setting of Pembrokeshire , just beautiful. There are some laugh-out-loud lines and great observations in the writing, of humanity and Life and friendship and frailty, and the need to live life fully, and value nature, and your friends and family.

It surprises and perplexes me that people rush to see more commercial, blockbuster-type films with lots of 'sound and fury' and fight scenes and sex and violence - but the quieter, searching, 'questioning humanity' part of us, is , I feel, aching to see beautiful, quieter, more thoughtful films like this. I loved that it is about four men, too. Women are stereotypically thought to be more able to discuss emotions and face the more difficult , sad subjects - so this fascinated me that the 4 men in this film are forced to face the protagonist's impending death - and the more shallow member of the group is forced to face his 'in denial' stance and superficial, Jack the lad ways.

We're all living in a world which is so fast-paced that maybe many people will not wish, or don't have yet, the patience and maturity to calmly enjoy this film, but I urge people to try it. Maybe people need to have lived a lot and experienced a bit of suffering before they can 'get' this film. But I don't think so - I think it appeals to that stiller, calmer part of us all which craves conversation and real connection with our friends , and which isn't afraid to face the bigger issues of life - Death, terminal illness, religion or atheism, and love, and the eternal , astonishing beauty of nature. And anyway it's not just about those issues - (and why are people afraid of films like this anyway - it's such brave filmmaking) - it's also very very funny .