If This Is It

Directed by AJ Chohan

2025

Ambition 45 Films

With a host of 80s-inspired TV shows and films being released over the last few years - and even a number of local shorts inspired by the decade - you can now add new Midlands film If This Is It to this ever-expanding list of retro-infused stories.

If This Is It is also a proof of concept for a feature, similar to the recent Midlands short Arcade 1987 (our review). And I’ve said before, it's a great way of trying to secure funding, whilst also completing a film for the competitive short film festival circuit.

It tells the story of couple; Ash (Midlands Movies Awards-winner Adam Horvath) and Diane (Ella Starbuck - great name btw!), who despite having strong feelings for each other, break-up to explore new aspects in their world. Yet a heartbroken Ash seeks solace from his friends, specifically lead singer Lina (Lina Lane) to try and move forward with his life and passion for music.

Off the bat, the main influences are clearly the teen drama-comedies of 80s legend John Hughes - with shades of Sixteen Candles (1984) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) being the most recognisable.

And the narrative is straight from the time too. A glamourous airhead cheerleader-type who is yearned for, despite the obvious real love-interest being the overlooked alternative girl once considered only a friend, can be seen similarly in Teen Wolf  (1985), Weird Science (1985) and many more.

From a Miami Vice white suit jacket to the synth music and even text font, the film successfully apes 80s style and movie tropes as well. The US-aesthetic is slightly at odds with the local Derby locations however. The ever-so-luxurious clothing is straight from California rather than the UK.

As someone who grew up in the 80s, the decade in the UK was a much more eclectic and slightly embarrassing mix of gaudy fashions, brown corduroy and nasty tracksuits rather than Hollywood mullets and Hawaiian shirts.

I did enjoy the “cameo” from the 80s Video Shop based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. It provides a very suitable store that harks back to the long-lost act of browsing VHS-filled shelves trying to find a Friday night movie. (Far away from doom-scrolling Netflix).

And the original music from star Lina Lane and her band Lina and The Lions, as well as tracks from songwriter Freddie Scott, is also a great touch that showcases UK acts who clearly know the sounds from the era.

The film definitely knows its source material and inspirations from the past. But the short is a little, well, short of story. Half the runtime is a simple break-up story, but the nods to the 80s can only get you so far before further character development and drama need to be the focus to stay engaged. A lot of phone calls aren’t the most visual way of getting over story beats either. But this could be the result of it being part of a larger feature script. A difficult tightrope to walk.

That said, the technical elements are strong and actors do well with the material as it is. Star-crossed lovers were a staple of the decade’s films - especially Hughes’ output - and they often showcased young peoples’ frustrations growing up. Cinephiles (of a certain age) will also have lots of fun spotting all the well-worn chestnuts from the era’s films, and the original music adds a lot of all-important atmosphere to this solid short. 

Although the script could do with a few tweaks to add weight to its slightly hokey and brief narrative, If This Is It wears its 80s cinematic influences on its rolled-up sleeves well. And viewers will find lots of enjoyment in a most triumphant Midlands-infused homage to jocks, nerds and valley girls.

★★★½

3.5 / 5

Michael Sales

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