UnstableDirected by Luke Allen2019Bottle O ProductionsUnstable takes place as a growing substance abuse problem descends on a young man, Adam (Alexander Westwood) who has had the paralysing news that his father has a terminal illness and won’t see another year. In a wooded park, alone, before he gets the news, he carefully sprinkles cannabis in a roll up. Before he can seal it up and enjoy his form “stress relief” he is disturbed by a girl he hasn’t met before called Sophie (Helen Austin). As she sits down beside him and questions him regarding his drug use, her curiosity could be initially mistaken for intrusiveness. However after a few moments of genuine conversation it is clear her intentions are pure. An attraction between the two is ignited and in a show of defiance Adam throws away his cannabis joint. Written and directed by Luke Allen, he makes sure to shape certain images and montages to show what his future might look like depending on which path he takes. Allen seems to have a clear agenda whilst making Unstable, to showcase how one’s problems are better dealt when they are shared with friends or family, which in the current climate is more important now than ever.As Sophie extends an offer to always be there if Adam wants to talk, he receives a call from his distraught mother who has told him to come home as his father only has a few months left to live. Visibly distracted by the call he makes his excuses and leaves but not before being offered cocaine by a drug dealer operating in an underpass. His initial refusal is quickly ignored, and his earlier strength is tested as the dealer reiterates a line Sophie said earlier albeit with a different meaning “life’s shit mate, no point in letting it get worse”.There is a sense of an impending burst of emotion in one of the film's final scenes as Adam sits down with his parents for dinner. They ponder when they will finally meet Sophie which prompts him to come clean regarding his drug habit. Allen cleverly leaves Adam out of shot the entire scene, concentrating on his mother and father instead. An odd choice as this is the film’s most significant moment however I think this paid off as the viewer can focus completely on the dialogue. Whilst the sound and the mix needed more attention, as I thought it was slightly off, such technological aspects can be improved on during the director's next effort. Unstable can boast however of its performances. The acting is relaxed and good straight through the line with its key players Alexander Westwood and Helen Austin exuding chemistry making their romance believable.In the end, Unstable is a well-made film from a young filmmaker and the story remained the priority and the plot engaging, which for a zero-budget film is wholly impressive. Guy RussellTwitter @BudGuyer

Unstable

Directed by Luke Allen

2019

Bottle O Productions

Unstable takes place as a growing substance abuse problem descends on a young man, Adam (Alexander Westwood) who has had the paralysing news that his father has a terminal illness and won’t see another year.

In a wooded park, alone, before he gets the news, he carefully sprinkles cannabis in a roll up. Before he can seal it up and enjoy his form “stress relief” he is disturbed by a girl he hasn’t met before called Sophie (Helen Austin).

As she sits down beside him and questions him regarding his drug use, her curiosity could be initially mistaken for intrusiveness. However after a few moments of genuine conversation it is clear her intentions are pure. An attraction between the two is ignited and in a show of defiance Adam throws away his cannabis joint.

Written and directed by Luke Allen, he makes sure to shape certain images and montages to show what his future might look like depending on which path he takes. Allen seems to have a clear agenda whilst making Unstable, to showcase how one’s problems are better dealt when they are shared with friends or family, which in the current climate is more important now than ever.

As Sophie extends an offer to always be there if Adam wants to talk, he receives a call from his distraught mother who has told him to come home as his father only has a few months left to live. Visibly distracted by the call he makes his excuses and leaves but not before being offered cocaine by a drug dealer operating in an underpass. His initial refusal is quickly ignored, and his earlier strength is tested as the dealer reiterates a line Sophie said earlier albeit with a different meaning “life’s shit mate, no point in letting it get worse”.

There is a sense of an impending burst of emotion in one of the film's final scenes as Adam sits down with his parents for dinner. They ponder when they will finally meet Sophie which prompts him to come clean regarding his drug habit. Allen cleverly leaves Adam out of shot the entire scene, concentrating on his mother and father instead. An odd choice as this is the film’s most significant moment however I think this paid off as the viewer can focus completely on the dialogue.

Whilst the sound and the mix needed more attention, as I thought it was slightly off, such technological aspects can be improved on during the director's next effort. Unstable can boast however of its performances. The acting is relaxed and good straight through the line with its key players Alexander Westwood and Helen Austin exuding chemistry making their romance believable.

In the end, Unstable is a well-made film from a young filmmaker and the story remained the priority and the plot engaging, which for a zero-budget film is wholly impressive.

Guy Russell

Twitter @BudGuyer