'Finding Your True Self' is the latest work from Alnwick based Terabithia Pictures. A film by Gabriel Brown, it tells the story of James (Robbie Fallon), a young man suffering with PTSD and mental health issues worsened by his roommate Charlie. A virtual recluse in adulthood, James meets neighbours Rosalind (Sarah Bulmer) and Dave (Anthony Ford) who encourage him to socialise, whilst James battles with himself to overcome Charlie's objection's and jealousy and find his own path forward. Throughout the story, flashbacks show James' upbringing and dependence on Charlie for some comfort throughout, orphaned from a young age, sent through the care system and left confused and adopted by a malicious couple.
One of the first things that strikes you about this film is it's use of colour, the vivid expressionism on the screen is outstanding, and the colourist alone deserves an award for how everything looks so real and vibrant on location; giving the film a real polished and professional look that you don't often find in budgeted films. In what can be an emotional viewing, internal shots are dimly lit, purposefully claustrophobic and the battle between James and Charlie is often overwhelming, literally giving you the idea that at any moment the two men could assault one another.
Equally so, costume, movements and dialogue is a huge part of the film, with James himself often wearing dull or plain colours, zipped up tops; whilst Rosalind and Dave wear bright colours, dressing for the weather. As James begins to enjoy his neighbours company, he opens up, wearing slightly more colourful garments and moving his hands in a less restrictive way. Fallon's own look and performance in this film definitely brought to mind 'Black Mirror; Bandersnatch' and the look and performance of Fionn Whitehead as Stefan Butler; particularly as I believed that's who the actor was on first watch. It was remarkable just how many parallels I could draw from that characters own performance into this one.
Shot on location in Newcastle, the film makes use of many of the City Centre's fabulous locations, and is a real love letter to using locations readily available at no cost. Dialogue and interaction between the characters are also very natural and don't seem forced or overly polished; there's a reality to their performances that is seldom seen in other local films. It's also a credit to the script as to how tensions build between James and Charlie throughout. At one point, Charlie attempts to approach a member of the public in conflict, only to be stopped by James. It's moments like this which blur the line between understanding the full complexity of their relationship.
If Charlie represents James darker side, Rosalind helps to find his softer side, and relationships start to build as the film presents James with a clear choice to pick between his new way of life or his old, before it's too late. It was at this point that I had to draw another parallel, with that of Penn Badgley and his internal monologues in Netflix show 'You'. That is not, however, to take away from the validity and originality of this work; which is a fine example of locally made drama and should be recommended to watch. With the characters themselves stealing the show, particularly the performance of Shepsi Haider as Charlie; this film has a promising future ahead and proves that it's cast and crew are ones to watch in the years ahead.
Cast
James Robbie Fallon
Rosalind Sarah Bulmer
Dave Anthony Ford
Charlie Shepsi Haider
Crew
Director Gabriel Brown
Producer Addison Keen
Composer Ray Brooks
Editor Billy Robinson