SOMEONE ELSE
UK, 2006, 78 minutes, Colour.
Stephen Mangan, Susan Lynch, Lara Belmont, Chris Coghill, Shawn Dingwall, Bridget Fry.
Directed by Col Specter.
Someone Else is a brief British film focusing on a man in his thirties, his inability to grow up emotionally, his love for Lisa (Susan Lynch) but his attraction towards Nina (Lara Belmont) who is going out with a married man. He gets advice from his friends Matt and married friend Michael. Jane, Michael’s wife, does not approve of David. David is played by Stephen Mangan (Confetti and many television comedy series).
David is very much a self-pitier. However, Stephen Mangan’s presence is strong enough to make audiences interested in him, look at his plight with moments of sympathy but with a great wish that he would be able to mature.
The film is set in London, has an authentic feel about it – and probably reflects the lives of many people who resemble the characters in this film.
1.A slice of life? People in their thirties? Relationships and commitment?
2.The London settings, flats, homes, restaurants, dating agencies …? An authentic feel? The musical score?
3.The troubles of people in their thirties, relationships, commitment, fears, self-image? The men who are unable to grow up emotionally? The contrast with women and their commitments and love?
4.The picture of David: his age, his background, photography work and seeing him in action, his friendship with Matt, discussions with him, friendship with Michael, the comparisons with Michael’s married life and his family, Michael having to tell him the truth, Jane, Michael’s wife, not approving of David. David and his love for Lisa, the possibility of marriage, going on the trip to Venice? His double-timing her with Nina? The infatuation with Nina, despite her other relationships? His breaking off with Lisa, her reaction? The money back for the Venice trip? His wandering, his moping, in the bar, trying to pick up the girls and their not being interested? The two women who enjoyed talking with Michael’s children rather than with David? His going to the party despite Jane’s disapproval? The encounter with Jane’s sister, the new age treatments, going back to the flat, his impotence? His despairing? Talking with Nina, her breaking off with him? The visits with Lisa, her coming to the flat, picking up things, the money refund? His gradual realisation of his love for Lisa? Finding her photo in the dating agency books? The information that he didn’t know about her? Their talking, gradually coming together, the possibility of his growing up and his commitment?
5.Lisa, sensible, her love for David? The long relationship? The plans for Venice? Her dismay at the breaking off of the relationship? Her getting used to it? The dating agency? The discussions with David, the gradual mellowing, coming together?
6.Matt, the bachelor, relationships with women, advice to David? Unable to attract women, going to the dating agency?
7.Michael, married, the ups and downs with his wife, her domination (and David’s criticism of this)? The children? The outings, the party, Jane warning David off her sister? Michael and the reconciliation?
8.The various friends, age? Their way of life, wanting commitment and love, sense of loneliness, fears of commitment?
