LFF 2011 Diary, Day 10 - JUNKHEARTS

LFF 2011 Diary, Day 10: Junkhearts (Rating: ****) As far as debuts go, Junkhearts is a pretty impressive opening gambit for Tinge Krishnan as a director. Set in the menacing and secluded tower block flats and back alleys of London, Junkhearts exposes the broken lives that inhabitate these spaces.

And when some of these broken lives collide, the consequences are both enlightening and catastrophic. Not without its flaws, Junkhearts exudes a style and confidence of that of an experienced and well-established filmmaker.

When a troubled ex-soldier, Frank (Eddie Marsan), decides to help a homeless teenager, Lynette (Candese Reid), he quickly finds himself the victim of a scam that threatens to take everything he has left. After attempting to atone for the sins of his past, Frank’s charity towards Lynette initially allows him some form of redemption. Although Frank’s past is not always clear, clues point towards a happier time with a family and child. A horrific truth however, from his time as a soldier, continues to traumatise Frank and reveals a haunting reality which he is battling to overcome.

“Gritty” is often a term that is all too often used to describe urban dramas such as Junkhearts. But in all honesty, Junkhearts is at times a tough endurance test of a film. This effect is only achieved however thanks to the human element of the film.

While some characters are both violent and manipulative, others are kindhearted and vulnerable. By colliding both the inhuman with the human, Krishnan has made an emotionally troubling film that pulls you into the downward spiral of others.

In a separate and somewhat contrived storyline, a successful businesswoman, Christine (Romola Garai), struggles to hold together an affair with a married man, an apparent drug habit and looking after her child. For large periods this story goes missing from the film and seems to be a rather clumsy tie-in that only serves as a way of rounding off the film. Despite this error, the central story of Frank and Lynette is puposeful enough that all is swiflty forgiven.

As much a human drama as it is a social drama, Junkhearts is direct in its approach of uncovering the grim underbelly of those who are victims of abuse. From what is a startilingly accomplished debut from writer/director Tinge Krishnan, hopefully this is beginning of great things to come. (Kudos to those who can spot an eminent film critic in a starring role! Clue: He pours the drinks just as well as he reviews films) JJ