Fancy A Redo

Directed by Gurjant Singh

Written by Omar Parvaz

2022

New Lion Films

Ever had a bad date that didn’t quite go as planned? Well new short film Fancy a Redo from Gurjant Singh takes a comedic look at two young people’s experience of dating in the modern world.

We open as a man and a woman pull up in a car at night after what seems like an awkward date. After openly and honestly exchanging that their evening didn’t really have any “spark” the two jovially discuss the embarrassing night.

Aayan (Viraj Juneja) jokes about the less than favourable restaurant choice whilst Erim (Parvinder Shergill) explains that despite talking for months before their date, they are probably just different people.

With them both respectfully laughing about their situation, their conversation soon turns to discussing the worst first dates they’ve ever had.

Erim describes a night out with a man called Tatu Boy (an hilarious turn by Adris Tariq) who live-streams the date online before Erim leaves at the first chance.

Aayan follows this with a shocking story of crime but goes too far as he tells a tall tale where he gets held up at gunpoint.

The writing and editing here is extremely impressive as we flashback to multiple variations of the story as Aayan gets called out by Erim for his over-the-top bragging.

As we jump to a version of the story set in a cinema and then a café, there is a hint of director Edgar Wright here with quick cuts, pop culture references and even self-referential flights of fancy. And it should be noted that support actor Naytan Russell delivers a really funny turn as the antagonist of one of the dates.

As the banter flows back and forth with the two joking away, a tentative but affectionate relationship begins to blossom before we get one final tale of Erim’s date with a “fake” Frenchman who somehow loses his accent after bad service in a restaurant.

Amongst all the silliness and jokey skits there’s a real emotional core here too. The rom-com tone also explores two people having a human connection and perhaps finding a bond amongst the pandemonium of modern life.  And the two superb central performances really help to cement the film's likeability. Given the turbulent state of the world right now, it’s great to see something so positive and hopeful.

Well written, brilliantly directed, cleverly edited and fantastically acted, there actually isn’t that much more to say about Fancy a Redo other than Midlands shorts don’t get much better than this.

★★★★★

5/5

Michael Sales