Having You

Beautiful movie. Understated acting, but very expressive - the entire cast. Wonderful sound track. Lighting and sound extremely well done. (My hearing is not great and frequently small-budget movies, especially from the UK are marked by muffled dialogue.)

The story was moving without a wasted scene. In fact, a few of the scenes were so well done, and unveiled the interior life of the character so well, as to rank with the best I've watched in recent memory.

The ending was perhaps my least favorite part of the movie. It kept in tone with the rest, so it was of a piece. But it was unoriginal.

Last, both in the spots where the movie reached for laughs - and a few places where quirky acting hit me unexpectedly, I burst out laughing, which is rare for me. So many movies in this genre are just somber, or unable to hit the right comedic note - just the opposite here.

All told an extremely enjoyable film experience of the first order!

Having You is a small scale low budget film but which never adds up to much as in scope it really is a television film with some swearing.

Jack (Andrew Buchan) works fixing old arcade machines, although reluctant to commit, he has proposed to long term girlfriend Camille (Romola Garai) who is a doctor. Jack has an abrasive relationship with his dad who wants to get him a proper job and reminds him of his troubled past which includes alcoholism.

However just after Camille miscarried some years ago he had a one night stand with Anna (Anna Friel.) She now turns up with their 7 year old son Phoenix and wants Jack to spend time with his son and bond with him. Of course Jack is in a dilemma as he does not want Camille to find out he has a son, especially as it means that he cheated on her.

The film is low key and uneven. It takes a dramatic turn at the latter part of the movie when Anna reveals the real reason she wants Jack to get to know his son.

Jack Turner (Andrew Buchan ) finally proposes to the long time girlfriend. But out of the blue, a hook-up from months ago turns up on his door step. Anna ( Anna Friel ) has a seven year old. And wants to know if it's Jack's kid. Of course, the right thing to do is immediately tell the new fiancee Camilla, but will he? Is Phoenix really his kid? Of course, he doesn't tell the fiancee about his situation, and it snowballs into bigger trouble. Like we all knew it would. Written and directed by british director Sam Hoare. His first ful length film, having directed two shorts before this. Here's a secret.... Romola Garai (Camilla) is married to the director. Good film. Cute. Good story, good acting. And a cute little song at the very end...not sure of the title. Cute Little One? Richard Thomas FInn? The plot of the film sure sounds like someone's personal experience. Good stuff.

After nine years, Jack (Andrew Buchan), proposes to his infertile girlfriend Camille (Romola Garai), whilst working in a seemingly poor job fixing old arcade machines with best (and possibly only) friend and boss Paul (Steven Cree), with his chess loving father Peter (Philip Davies) pressuring him to get a real job in order to fully support her. Complications, however, begin to arrive when Anna (Anna Friel) an old one night stand from years back, turns up at his doorstep with her seven year old son Phoenix (Issac Andrews) claiming that he just may be the father.

The most admirable thing about Having You is the character development and the writer's ability to keep them grounded and realistic, so that we care about them enough and grow invested in them. It's a tale of human nature and responsibility, and we follow Jack on his journey of coming to terms with the mistakes he has made and facing them like a true adult, responsibly and maturely; not to mention dealing with a shut down and difficult relationship with his father, the growing struggles of keeping his family a secret from the completely clueless Camille, and old habits rearing their ugly heads back into the picture as Jack struggles with the troubling hand he has been dealt.

A real plus in the matter is Steven Cree's witty and often hilarious portrayal of the easy-going boss (who acts more like a teenager trapped in a man's body), who really gives the film that comic relief in the occasional moments in which he shares screen time.

Towards the last half hour, the film takes a dramatic change in direction that does its job exceptionally well by building up the emotions and tension before delivering a powerful and heartbreaking finale that really hits the audience hard. Unfortunately, it is such a film that will go without any real recognition, and this is a real shame due to it's impressive quality and well crafted storytelling.

My Verdict: Emotional, character driven and grounded, Having You is one of those rare gems that sticks with you long after it's over.

Having You is a small UK drama about a man about to marry his infertile girlfriend, who suddenly finds out he already has a child. It raises an interesting moral dilemma, should he stay with the girl he loves or potentially lose her and instead get to know the child he thought he would never have.

A strong cast helps featuring the beautiful Anna Friel and the always excellent Philip Davis all help to make the intelligent script sparkle. Andrew Buchan is very likable and evokes real sympathy as the man left in a lose lose situation. Interspersed with some realistic and at times touching drama there are plenty of funny lines. It is one of the rare films that gets the balance between drama and comedy spot on. An added bonus is an excellent soundtrack that fits the film perfectly.

This is one of those small gems that you occasionally come across unexpectedly. I found this to be an engrossing, believable and enjoyable film with a good pay off. Highly recommended.