Izzy vs Jess

Directed by Gareth Owain David Thomas

2022

Rocking Horse Media

Rocking Horse Media presents Izzy vs Jess, a feature film pitting two main characters against each other, one from a previously unreleased film, the other from an upcoming drama series.

Whilst one of these protagonists, Izzy, explains this narrative somewhat in the film, it is puzzling to get your head around it at the first time of asking.

Based in Shropshire, Rocking Horse Media are a production company which set out to create a film focusing on autism, however after various complications, production never finished.

Fast forward many years later and Rocking Horse had moved on, preparing to shoot a drama series based around a care home focusing on the staff who work there.

Inspired by Comic Relief and a desire to receive closure from their previous, unfinished project, a film was written by writer/director Gareth Owain David Thomas containing the lead characters from both features and connecting both worlds.

One evening, during a quiet shift in a care home, receptionist Izzy Orchard (Orla Jones) is creating an exhibition near her work area, it is filled with newspaper clippings, images, articles of a feature film that was never finished, “Run for Your Life”. She is collating all this information as a tribute to the production company behind said unfinished film as they are now focusing on a drama series set in the care home she works.

She informs an inquisitive colleague that the previous project paid its attention to autism and the bullying that can stem from it. It is also mentioned that the cast and crew have all vanished in mysterious circumstances.

Whilst discussing what three random numbers from the film mean, the walls start to shake and the lights flicker furiously, terrifying Izzy. But her scares aren't over just yet.

Our point of view shifts from Izzy to Jess Andrews (Christie Kelly), a talented athlete who has autism. She was the lead of the original film that never got finished, and has seemingly awakened. Eyes widened and now taking physical form in the very reception where Izzy works, lights flickering furiously again.

I'm not sure if it is the narrative itself or the way in which it is explained by characters within the film but I found I had to watch this sequence back a few times to fully understand the timeline of events, as a lot of what is spoken about on screen is based on events actually taking place in the real world (unfinished film, upcoming drama series, name of the production company).

Once Izzy sees Jess standing in her reception, dirty, confused, disorientated, she mistakes her for a new resident. A bewildered Jess tries to understand what has happened to her, years seem to have gone by without her knowing, she was looking forward to making her film, to educate an audience on her condition but now in a few minutes in her mind all that is lost and Izzy is now a lead star telling her story to camera.

After a lot of exposition between the two characters, there is an altercation and a shoving match ensues. As this happens the walls begin to tremor and the lights flare. This ends the first act as we are then treated to a thank you message from the film's director.

This unusual but gentle addition to the film really nails down some of the core themes Thomas is trying to bring across. Time, health and the importance of a care home and its staff in the face of a pandemic.

When we are taken back to Izzy and Jess they are on better terms and finally understand each other and appreciate the others worth. One of the last lines in the film is a strong one “I'm Jess Andrews and I'm autistic”.

Throughout viewing Izzy v Jess I noticed some decent technical work on display, the score by Pete Jandrell is particularly good for a film of this size, giving off serious John Carpenter vibes at some points. I also really liked the natural, lived in performances from all of the cast. It never felt contrived or forced, across the board. Unfortunately, I felt some of the lighting and sound could have been better. Especially during the final act, when our characters are talking in the dark.

But this is a low budget feature film and it is commendable that a film can discuss autism and weave it into the story without it seeming orchestrated for educational purposes, an example being when Izzy discusses stimming (repetitive or unusual movements etc) it is mentioned for the purpose of the story which doesn't feel forced.

Overall, I think Izzy V Jess would of worked better as a short film, but what an achievement to breathe life into an eight year old incomplete film!

★★½

Guy Russell

Twitter @BudGuyer

The film was premiered at a sold out local cinema but it is still available to view online for a limited time throughout April to celebrate Austim Acceptance Month.