What You Can't Promise

Turned it off after 15 minutes. I was going to turn it off after 10 but gave it a bit longer before writing this.

I like the way it is filmed and I like the setting, it's intimate and relatable. But the whole thing goes totally south within minutes which is a shame. The female character is a totally and utterly vile. She's insensitive, arrogant, entitled and a beatch. If I were the guy I'd have sent her worthless backside packing after two minutes.

The guy is unrealistic as he just sits there taking abuse for ages.

If the roles were reversed and some bloke came into a cottage and started hassling and badgering some woman this would (rightly) never have been put online. The film maker clearly has talent in terms of sets and ambiance but no clue about social relationships or what will cause people to turn off.

I imagine the people who like this are female and pretty much like the vapid leading lady.

I guess this was made in Covid lockdown. It shows.

IMDB says that the film cost £500 to make. That is completely believable.

The direction and camerawork are amateurish. The sound quality is terrible. The acting poor and the general level of production is sadly non existent.

It must be tough to get a movie made and they at least derserve plaudits for that. Also the central idea of the movie was at least passable and worth exploring.

Would I recommend it to anyone....errr.....no. Would I seek out any other films made the writer and director, probably not, not unless he broke his other , much bigger, piggy bank.

What exactly can't be promised? The expectations one sets when they plan a trip, that regulations set by the owner of an establishment will be followed, the accuracy of a first impression. As we learn more about the two characters in this film we find that most things cannot be promised. The initial encounter where an unexpected visit from a beguiling beauty immediately alters a forlorn fellows life. The first agreement occurs through the insistence that a stay at the residence was promised to the woman, but the resident had not made that promise. Of course, if the woman left, there would be no story to tell. What later ensues is a disruption of both their lives through invasion of privacy and compelling confrontations. The story flows naturally with just enough clues to keep the viewer intrigued but not give away the ending. The location creates a comfortable setting and adds to the mystic of the visitor. The actors so throughly embody the characters such that the subtle movements enhance their backstory. Maria Tauber is very convincing in being confident and alluring, where both characteristics are necessary to make Gareth's choices realistic. Though Gareth having been already in a vulnerable state makes him all the easier to manipulate. Richard Fysh has created a captivating story and has done an excellent job in bringing the story to life.

A two-hander in a confined space, with both actors having appeared together in previous shorts and one being responsible for writing and directing this not-quite feature-length piece, the signs of a tiny budget are everywhere.

The script is highly theatrical and does not suit tye naturalistic delivery. At times it feels as if the actors are not familiar with the script, or do not understand what the characters mean, although they developed it.

There are continuity failings and some jarring edits, lighting in particular causing difficulties, but we identify with the likeable characters - one staid, one light as a butterfly - and want the best for them.

There is a twist which I won't reveal, but you will see it coming a mile off. The story is not subtle but it is enjoyable, entertaining, and well worth a watch. I suspect this will not be the partnership's last collaboration, and I will be looking out.