Pretty Red Dress

I was really disappointed in this film. The trails suggested a cutting edge drama about a man challenging the norms of his community but what we actually get is an over-scripted, not very well acted, family melodrama. "Travis" (Natey Jones) returns home after a spell in prison to his wife "Candice" (Alexandra Burke) and teenage daughter "Kenisha" (Temilola Olatunbosun). "Candice" has an audition to play in a Tina Turner musical and has her eyes on a spangly red dress. It's expensive, but "Travis" manages to find a job with his brother and manages to buy it for her. She loves it, but, well... so does he. At this stage we begin to sense that he has some identity fluidity issues, but that is best kept under wraps for fear it will not be well received by his family, nor by their friends. It's only when "Candice" comes home unexpectedly one evening that the relationship dynamic suddenly changes for all of them. The premiss is bold - it does aim fairly and squarely at bigotry and homophobia, but the execution is slow and ponderous. Alexandra Burke is a great singer but she is not a great actress and as the ever more contrived family shenanigans mount up - including some issues for the young "Kenisha" - the thrust that made the film interesting in the first place gets rather lost. Jones is adequate, but again his character is largely undeveloped with little of a backstory to give us a sense of just how this relationship evolved, and ultimately I just think Dionne Edwards relied a little too much on the shock value of the thread and of audience assumptions rather than develop this into something more powerful. It's watchable, bit misses the goal I'd say.

I went to go and watch this film for free as I am a member at Picturehouse. As a crossdresser/gender explorer myself. All I can say is finally we have some accurate representation in the media! I could relate to a lot in this film, and it was beautiful to watch. It's a film that explores masculinity, gender expression, and family issues. Every character is relatable in their own way. I wasn't too sure at first about Alexandra Burke's acting but as the film went on I was certainly impressed. Ignore the negative reviews about this film, it deserves a much higher score. Thankyou for making the film we very much needed!

Here's a sensitive and contemporary take on love, identity, sexuality, expectations, kindness and the human condition. It doesn't need labels or explanations and can cope with and hold ambiguity. It likes and respects all of its main protagonists and does not feel the need to fall victim to simplicity. All the more, you identify with the characters, and it feels encouraging that there is room for emotion amidst all those somewhat 2-dimensional contemporary labelling efforts. Be feminine whilst being masculine, be real, be vulnerable, take a risk, take a stand for your feelings but don't hurt others in the process - in fact, don't just me me me, bur really let them matter (to you) too. Recommended.

A beautiful, heart warming and enjoyable debut film from Dionne Edwards, with brilliant performances from the whole cast, especially Alexandra Burke, Natey Jones & Temilola Olatunbosun. Deftly explores masculinity, family dynamics and gender expression. Was particularly impressed with AB as I had not seen her act before but she really pulled it out of the bag. South London makes the perfect setting for the film and its beauty is on full display. Lots of fantastic music throughout.

Important for these stories to be told, now more than ever. Deserves to have a wide audience and lots of success...

A stretch in prison brings you back to your sweetheart, it's a year that you've been separate and apart, life's quite tough when you're a felon, when you wish you had some melons, just to pop inside a dress, with firm support. And then the chance arrives to get yourself made up, and add some padding to your wife's lacy bra cups, pop some scarlet on the lips, waltzing around to shake your hips, you look amazing in that red tasselled getup. It's not too long before you're found with your pants down, it causes consternation and a great big frown, you try to work your way around, but deep inside you're glad your found, you are relieved, released to wander around town.