HIDE AND SEEK/ AMOROUS

UK, 2014, 82 minutes, Colour.
Josh O’ Connor, Hannah Arterton, Rea Mole, Daniel Metz, Joe Banks.
Directed by Joanna Coates.

This drama was designed as arty and experimental. It focuses on four 20-somethings, two men, two women, who agree to live together in a country house, allowing for individual freedoms but also some structures for the practical living, especially cooking.

The four quickly overcome any inhibitions, seem to get on well together, establishing two couples who remain together throughout the film. On the whole, they have nothing to do, just live in a kind of utopia. In the evenings they play particular games, painting, charades, mini-dramas, imitations of TV panel games and interviews.

Suddenly, boyfriend of one of the women turns up, wants to talk to his girlfriend, joins in the meals, is bewildered by the games played in the nightly routine, wants to get out.

At one stage, the four reminisce about the past and declare that if they were to stay in this utopia, it would eventually be Paradise.

While the tone is somewhat lyrical, the more pragmatic members of the audience will be wondering where they have their income, do they go out to do their shopping, how will they sustain themselves in the future, will they be employed in any way?

This does not seem to bother the four and the film ends before any such questions are asked – although the final charade, the acting of a very serious and date and proposal by one couple takes in the other couple as well as the audience. But, it is only a joke in the nightly routine…

Josh O’ Connor appeared in as the lead in God’s Own Country. Hannah Arterton is the younger sister of actress, Gemma Arterton. Daniel Metz co-produced and co-wrote the film.

Utopian dreams.