Set in the style of so many recent British TV and film titles, This Year's Love follows the highs and lows of a group of 30-somethings living in London. As is always preferable, life is portrayed how it is. You'll see pubs, sex, relationships, hardships, arguments and more. Nothing is romanticised.
The story follows a group of people living in Camden Town. They all have terrible life prospects and nothing much to show for themselves. The saga starts with Danny and Hannah, two Scots, getting married. Danny shortly realises Hannah has been sleeping with his best man and immediately leaves her. Then, over the following 3 years he makes new relationships and ends them, true to life. The rest of the characters all become intertwined with each others' lives through relationships and friendships over these 3 years. By the end, everything has turned full circle again.
Kathy Burke, of Kevin and Perry fame, plays Mary. She is a lowly airport cleaner by day, and backing singer to a band gigging in pubs by night. The band, interestingly, are actually fronted by David Gray, singing his own material. She is no exception to the coming and goings of these relationships, despite being neurotic about her weight and looks. She is one of the highlights of the film.
The added touches of comedy here and there makes the story more light-hearted and enjoyable. Though if you require a build up of a story to a proper finale, you are probably going to be disappointed as the film has little structure in that sense. It could literally go on year after year portraying the characters new relationships and loves one after the other. But you can't complain as it is in the title!
The soundtrack is very acceptable, consisting of British bands of the time, such as the Stereophonics and, as mentioned before, David Gray.
Overall, a film you'll like if you're into the down-and-out British thing, like This Life. It is just a story about life and love in London. |
