Lotus Eaters: Movie Review
By Yevette Renee Nelson
Bottom Line
Sex, drugs, wealth and one endless party
Director
Alexandra McGuinness
Screenwriters
Alexandra McGuinness, Brendan Grant
Cast
Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Benn Northover, Alex Wyndham
Writer-director Alexandra McGuinnes’ (the daughter of Paul McGuinness, U2′s manager) first feature is a modern day version of the Greek mythological Lotus Eaters. Following a clique of young, fabulously wealthy twenty something Londoners whose lives are filled with incessant boredom, sex and drugs.
Taking place in spectacularly expensive residences and a massive countryside estate. Alice (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), a former model, shadows her group of mega rich friends from one endless party to the next. Having recently split from her boyfriend, Charlie (Johnny Flynn) a heroin addict, Alice makes an effort to be productive and seeks to start a new career as an actress.
Hanging on the fringe, it hard to see what Alice has in common with them. She is the only character that shows any level of grief or ambition, which is ever so subtle and conveyed with yearning in her eyes and limited discussion. Compared to the others, these differences are magnified.
Continuing her quest to start anew, she gravitates to Alex (Benn Northover), an indulgent heir, as well as chlamydia-infested Marlon (Alex Wyndham). Twist and turns develop with dangerous consequences.
Co-writers McGuinness and Brendan Grant provides the quintessence lifestyle of the rich and famous, taking a journey with a jet set crowd to the most lavish locations to shoot the film. Void of any reflection, compassion and with out the responsibility of doing anything meaningful, it is a challenge trying to connect with the persons depicted. You are able to see the conflicts that can arise when you surround yourself with people who are unlike you in significant ways while trying to be true to yourself.
Shot on black-and-white by photographer Gareth Munden, the film has a light and airy feel, giving the impression of being shot with a handheld camera.
The sound track of British rock songs really set the tone for the sex, drugs and rock and roll lifestyle. It has some great live performances. Most notably, the wonderful musical performance by real life folk musician Johnny Flynn (Charlie) adds charm and a poignant moment to the film. 7
Drama
Release date:Â April 5, 2013
Production companies: McGuinnessLee, Fastnet Films
Cast: Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Benn Northover, Alex Wyndham, Marsha Hunt, Cynthia Fortune Ryan, Daisy Lewis, Gina Bramhill, Johnny Flynn
Director: Alexandra McGuinness
Screenwriters: Alexandra McGuinness, Brendan Grant
Producers: Mark Lee, Morgan Bushe, Kyle Blanshard
Director of photography: Gareth Munden
Production designer: Richard Hudson
Music: Birger Clausen
Costume designer: Ruth Higginbotham
Editor: Bert Hunger, Emer Reynolds
No rating,
Run time: 76 minutes