So I just returned from watching both volumes of Set Me Free at a test screening and I got to say, this is impressive. I heard just before watching this that it was done on such a shoe-string budget and the thought of this just blew me away, it was handled in such a way that's quite beyond perfection. It's a riveting and harrowing story that focuses on very interesting characters and it delivers such charm and joy even though it is a dark mystery thriller. I think concepts like this are always misled or not done properly in big Hollywood films whether it's the company's interference or not, but Set Me Free grabs an emotional response and it's films like this that should gain public interest and be shown to thousands.
VERY long story short, our main protagonist is Lauren (Nina Taylor) who is confined indoors in a lighthouse by her strange parents whom she addresses formally ("Father, Mother"). She is told to never leave the lighthouse and explore outside for it is toxic and would instantly kill her without a certain protective gear. As days go by her suspicions grow more and she eventually dares to go out, not knowing that the oxygen outside is totally safe and normal (like it always has been). But Lauren is discovered by a single mum, detectives and a social-worker (who becomes a therapist) and soon begins to realise that her whole life in the lighthouse was a lie; the air outside, certain rules inside the lighthouse and especially the people who claim to be her parents. Meanwhile a hardworking journalist (Leila Kotori) gets a position at an impressive news organisation and investigates how to corrupt and expose poor Lauren into the truth behind her past. I'm not going to spoil the entire thing as it's such a complex story line but that's the core point. It's preachy and manipulative – it lets the story speak for itself.
The performances are debatable as some acting is weaker than others but on the plus side it's not distracting. Nina Taylor proves that she doesn't mind being put into the most unflattering light possible and for that she is fearless, bold and interesting to keep watching. The kidnap parents (Steve Carroll and Kim Waters) are truly in the spotlight in my personal opinion as they were perfect as the unusual parents, better than the rest of the performances.
Set Me Free is the kind of film that inspires debate and discussion long after the credits have rolled. It's ambiguous and mystery is a positive, believe me! It's well directed, well written and more importantly entertaining all the way throughout. This is how dramas should be and I wish to see more films like this.
