Midlands Review of Cliff Edge
midlandsmovies • May 11, 2020
Midlands Review of Cliff Edge
Cliff Edge
Directed by Samuel Bossman
2020
Deadman
Filmed partly in Birmingham, Cliff Edge is a new 20-minute drama exploring the difficult issue of male mental health in the 21st century.
A man (director/star Samuel Bossman as “Joe”) awakes from a vision on a cliff edge before he’s brought back to reality as a woman walks out of a pub in this opening of this recently released short that takes us through a slice of life story of a withdrawn man’s problems.
We cut to another day and from smoothies to working out, the film’s lead tries to maintain a sense of normality in the world. Suiting up for work and downing a beer, the film portrays an ever-growing sense of tedium in modern society given its reliance on technology and its subsequent distancing effects.
And more beer, takeaways, and extensive mobile phone use keeps the lead trapped in his apartment (and life). Hours lost and with frustration setting in, the man fails to even remove his work clothes, adrift as he is in his own sphere.
Habit and routine have made Joe’s life mundane and his evening ends by swiping through photos on a dating app. Arising the next morning, Joe vomits in his bathroom before realising he’s late for a meeting and rushes through a bustling city.
Joe bumps into the woman from the opening flashback, also doing so without realising it’s his future date. And as they are both looking down, self-absorbed in their mobile phones, they continue on their way, oblivious to their connection.
Finally, he’s back in the pub and as we return to the beginning of the short, the woman (Laryssa Schoek as “Eve”) explains her work in a scene of introverted awkwardness.
Joe’s lack of interest, not in just the date, but with the world in general shows his emotional distance and detached loneliness. Despite his depressive mannerisms, his date lends a more-than-kind listening ear but Joe throws it back in her face and she leaves.
The end of the short gives us a little hope but does seem to arrive from nowhere and is probably the film’s least engaging aspect. But the performances are good and the narrative clear yet suitably puzzling to maintain interest.
However, Cliff Edge ultimately concludes as a well-filmed study of the headaches faced in the present day. And it focuses on the complicated interaction between technology, isolation and psychological well-being.
The film also attempts to portray a non-judgmental narrative that neither condones nor absolves the protagonist. Much like Joe, the film very much has a “just is” tone. We’re left to find meaning in the film like Joe’s trying to find meaning in himself. And overall its swift 20 minutes provides a successful metaphor for contemporary angst.
Michael Sales
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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