In the brooding, dark Blood Cells indie audiences will find the film filled with emotion, despair and psychological conflict. It’s their cup of tea with an extra spoonful of sugar. Extremely well-acted, directed and photographed the movie digs deep into the soul of the protagonist on his journey from hell. Now on DVD for home video it would make a nice centerpiece for invited guests who share the same interests.
The film is set in modern day Britain circa 2011 where we find Adam (Barry Ward) a man in conflict with himself and the world around him. Lost in a mire of a downtrodden road life that has lasted years since the destruction of his father’s (Francis Magee) farm due to a sweeping cattle disease, Adam moves from town to town looking for solace that eludes him. One day he receives a letter that his brother Aiden (Joe Doyle) has a new child and pleads for his return home to see his new nephew. It’s one last chance to make recompense for his departure and return to his family. Totally at war with a decision he doesn’t want to make, Adam looks to others for advice.
The film has a gloomy psychological tone to it that surrounds the mystery of why Adam resists return to his home town. Although director/writers Joseph Bull and Luke Seomore are up front with the reason for Adam’s distress, they are guarded till the very end on the whole story. They make their characters interesting, compelling and filled with their own life forces not really cognizant of Adam’s true motives for what set him on the road to self-malaise. Half knowing why the audience has empathy for Adam, but those characters in the film who are without a clue use him for his kindheartedness.
The acting in Blood Cells by the whole cast is very good creating thought-provoking characters that are in tune with the dark storyline. Barry Ward works his Adam to the bone, gathering moss as he rolls from towns to cities. He keeps his dark secret deep within himself flooding it with booze and the notions of those strangers to which he comes in contact. Ward keeps his character lifeless, but at every turn giving it some hope that he will be released from the horrors he carries inside.
In support, the actor whose performance rises above the others comes from Hayley Squires as Adam’s ex-lover Hayley. She takes him in when he returns to London and then uses him for her own reasons. Sly, she’s a user and Adam’s conveniently their when her cash has dropped to a new low. The chemistry between Squires and Ward intensifies with each frame of film with Hayley’s sexuality winning out over Adam’s resistance to her charms. Even though it’s a respite from his daemons he knows she cannot help him face them. Squires digs deep nailing the lover turned trollop with aplomb.
The music, cinematography, scene ploys and locations work in tandem to make the film moody and compelling at the same time. Much like some of the more popular films that have come to the screen including Melancholia and 4:44 Last Day On Earth, the tone created for the film grabs you and doesn’t let go till the very surprising ending. Also, the directors of Blood Cells use a technique uncommon in most films where you just hear background noises and music during conversations, especially when Adam flashes back to his youth. It actually works here as the audience can easily figure out what is being said as the scene gets acted out. Symbolism is also a part of the film, but it’s not overly used or obscure.
Blood Cells has not been rated by the MPAA but contains violence, language, a scene of sensuality, teen drinking, drug use and brief sexual exhibitionism. There are several loose ends untied that bothered me and I would have liked to know more about some of the characters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good independently made film that’s engrossing and acted well. (B-)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Barry Ward, Chloe Pirrie , Joe Doyle , Keith McErlean, Jimmy Akingbola, Francis Magee, Silas Carson, Hayley Squires
Directors and writers: Joseph Bull, Luke Seomore
MPAA Rating: Unrated, Contains, Language, Violence, a Scene of Sensuality, Teen Drinking, Drug Use, Exhibitionism
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hr 26 min
Video Release Date: August 18, 2015
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Unspecified
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: None
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Garden Thieves Pictures
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
