Plot: What’s it about?
David (Steve John Shepherd) has been best mates with Theo (John Simm) for over a decade, but he has been dissatisfied of late. David is a macho kind of guy and works in construction, but he also has a softer side, though no one knows about it. You see, David has a crush on Theo and can’t seem to figure out how to make it known, especially since Theo is involved with Hannah (Laura Fraser). Theo and Hannah have a pretty serious relationship and have started to move in together, which makes David quite jealous. Out of fear of losing his chance with Theo, David starts to talk with Hannah and tries to undermine their bond. It might be underhanded, but David is in love with Theo and feels it is his sole chance to make an impact. After some time of this, Hannah becomes insecure and leaves Theo, which means Theo returns to David, for a shoulder to cry on. When the trio goes on a game show called Forgive and Forget, it seems like the truth could surface, but what will become of this unusual triangle of friends?
This movie has gotten a lot of praise, but I’ve been unable to view it until now, as the theatrical release was quite limited. I’m glad First Run Features has issued this disc, as Forgive and Forget is a good film and deserves a wider audience. This is a dramatic character study, which means there’s a lot of dialogue and the pace is rather slow, but I don’t think it ever drags, not in the least. The writing is excellent and paints a detailed, well developed scope, in which the rich characters can interact. I do think the homosexual themes might scare some folks off, but it shouldn’t, as this is a movie not to be missed. The film sports three superb performances, from Steve John Shepherd (From Hell, Virtual Sexuality), Laura Fraser (A Knight’s Tale, Titus), and John Simm (Human Traffic, Wonderland), but you’ll also see some good work from the cast of supporting players. I do have a couple of issues with the way it all ends, but aside from that, I found this to be a worthwhile flick. A well written, well acted picture, Forgive and Forgive is very recommended, especially with such a solid treatment from First Run Features.
Video: How does it look?
Forgive and Forget is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The image here looks good, with only some spots of grain to complain about, as well as budget caused flaws, though never anything serious. The print looks clean, but has some slight wear, perhaps due to the type of film stock used, though I’m not sure. No problems with color however, as hues look bold and true, while flesh tones remain natural also. The contrast is stable and provides a nice level of detail, but grain is sometimes an issue. On the whole though, I was never let down by the black levels and for a lower budget picture, Forgive and Forget looks great here.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included 2.0 surround option seems more than up to the task, but don’t expect much in terms of power or presence here. But the material simply doesn’t need much juice, so I’d rather have this natural, more reserved experience. The music is clean and well placed, while sound effects are sharp and sound solid also. No flubs with the dialogue either, as vocals are clear and never falter, which is important here.
Supplements: What are the extras?
After you suffer through the forced introduction (which is horrific and should be made optional), you can access some cool bonus materials. This disc contains some talent files, three television spots, and a selection of text based interviews. The main extra is an audio commentary with director Aisling Walsh and writer Mark Burt, however and it is a solid session. Walsh does most of the talking and reveals a lot about how the film was made, from small details about the actors to more general approaches to the production. Burt chimes in at times also, but it is Walsh who has most of the time in this one, which works out well, I think.
