Happy New Year, Colin Burstead

I had high hopes for this film as I loved 'Kill List' and 'Sightseers' but unfortunately it just came across as an artier version of Eastenders filmed on wobblycam. The premise was interesting but it didn't go anywhere and soon descended into pointless bickering characters which is the mainstay of lowbrow soaps. Sure, that's what happens when families get together, but it would have been good if we were amused or surprised at some point. Perhaps Julia Davis should have written the script for it. As it is, it stands as a failed improv experiment. I hope Ben Wheatley's next effort will be better.

I thought it was a terrific film, with very natural feeling acting. The chemistry clicked perfectly between this ensemblée. I caught it on the BBC at Christmas and loved every minute. Well worth a watch.

This little unheard of tragicomedy drama represents some of Ben Wheatley's best work to date. There's lots of characters here, and his script manages to integrate them all in interesting and sometimes amusing ways; the dialogue is sharp, with the actors adding bits and pieces when called for, and the tense family relations soon reaches a boiling point with appropriately awkward and tense confrontations after smart setup work.

As well as writer and director, Ben Wheatley also shows really impressive work as editor. Conversations are constantly cut up with other conversations, and the transitions are smooth, never losing us as the audience with the content of those exchanges, while also managing to keep us aware of where everyone is and what's on everyone's mind in a given moment.

Of course, when the focus is on dialogue, you need a good ensemble, and fortunately this British film is splendidly cast from top to bottom, with Neil Maskell demonstrating yet again why he deserves more leading roles with this incredible, impassioned display. Overall, 'Happy New Year, Colin Burstead' is an excellent acting, screenwriting, and editing showcase.

8/10.

No bells no whistles, just a tv play style offering that's reminiscent of the applauded series of the 1970's and 1980's. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I'm a bit marmite on Ben Wheatley at the minute. I loved Kill List and Sightseers, thought a Field in England was utterly dull, as was High Rise. His last film Free Fire I hated - I know it was a parody on shoot em ups but didn't work for me. But there's no doubt the guy's talent. I enjoyed this latest made for TV drama was well made and observed with great acting - but I was hoping to find something I really cared about. It seems to be a British take on the brilliant Danish dogma film Festen - but not in the same league. Still, it was an enjoyable if unremarkable New Year's Eve watch with an excellent ensemble cast. 6 out of ten