Midlands Review of Luther Michael and Her
midlandsmovies • May 23, 2020
Midlands Review of Luther Michael and Her
Luther, Michael and Her
Directed by Penelope Yeulet
2020
Making her writing and directing debut is Penelope Yeulet whose first film Luther, Michael and Her is about two friends becoming reacquainted as they both hideout from a funeral gathering.
We are introduced to our characters in a house as a man named Michael (Rob Kirtley) enters a bathroom, but is interrupted by Luther (Penelope Yeulet) who is drowning her sorrows in the bathtub.
Both dressed in black, the two are seeking sanctuary, for perhaps different reasons, from the wake happening downstairs.
We are then given hints that hark to a previous relationship between the two. Michael appears the more understanding whilst Luther appears drunk. But the two bicker from the start about sharing the symbolic space.
The confines within the stark tiled bathroom created a cell of sorts, trapping the ex-friends before Luther shares her drink with her old companion. In the darkest of times, the two begin to break down their emotional barriers with the intention of continuing their drinking in this private refuge.
The cinematic quality of image is very professional, but the scenario feels a little underlit at times. As an accompaniment to dark subject matter it seems like an obvious stylistic choice, but I did find myself squinting at the beginning to see the action on screen.
The intense situation comes to a head when Michael confronts the reasons why they have been distant. The blame games begin and we discover their fiery connection with the departed. Their religious-related names also suggest a devil/(arch)angel dynamic and the short plays this out in the characters’ reactions.
As a first-time calling card, the film is impressive with its technical aspects and its use of a unique situation. The script could have done with another pass. Perhaps to truncate some of the dialogue which is already symbolised well by the film’s visual language. Its blocking and well-chosen camera angles and edits clearly represent the dynamic too, without the need for additional words.
However, despite a few very minor areas for improvement, Luther is a very intriguing and satisfying short film. Both actors deliver a believable and intense performance coming from different places. This keeps their clash to the forefront in a touching drama that more than pleases from the outset.
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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