Tamara Drewe

Based on the Graphic Novel by Posy Simmons, Directed by Stephen Frears and starring Gemma Arterton.

I really like Gemma Arterton, granted her turns in Clash of the Titans and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time were very similar, but she plays the part of the ethereal princess so well! I was in two minds about whether to see this film but was gently persuaded by my parents and sister, you see I have a little aversion to very ‘English’ films. I don’t want the rest of the world to think we all live in the countryside or London. I am all for English films and was appalled to hear of the plans to scrap the British Film Institute because of funding. The confusing thing is it’s funded by the Lottery, but I suppose that’s what you get when the country goes conservative, it’s bled of colour and creativity, but I digress. When I found out that the film was based on a graphic novel, my interest was further sparked because if you haven’t guessed already I’m a very literature motivated person!

Tamara Drewe is the story of a young woman who is a journalist and has to return home to the small village she grew up in, in order to renovate and sell her family home. Before we meet Tamara however we meet some of the local characters. Beth Hardiment and her award winning crime writer husband Nicholas run a writers retreat where the film begins, as an inspiring writer I was pleasantly surprised at this part of the sub plot and immediately could empathise with writers struggling to compose and be published. Throughout the film there is a strong sense of inspiration, Nicholas bases his characters on his neighbours, the quintessential American Bill Camp is inspired by the scenery and Tamara is inspired to write a semi-autobiographical novel from her own experiences. Even the hilariously funny Dominic Cooper as Ben Sergeant is inspired to write songs about the women and fans he comes into contact with, I cannot emphasise the importance of music in film. One of the stand outs in this film is a fan of Ben’s; Jody Long played by Jessica Barden is the epitome of a teenager in love with her idol. Her obsession with Ben will stir memories in any woman about her crush on an idol - from Robbie Williams to Robert Pattinson.

Although Tamara is central to the plot, the film does not revolve around her. Many of her actions cause the other characters to act on feelings of want, jealousy and lust – mainly the male characters! They are all linked to Tamara and her past in one way or another. However you don’t feel as if the entire plot is waiting on Tamara. As a viewer you become fond of Ben and his oafishness but like any good romantic comedy fan you also know that he and Tamara are not meant to be, that spot is reserved for the first love/ex-boyfriend Andy. This is not without its mishaps and one of the pleasures of this film is that Tamara is a very real character, a real person who makes mistakes.

The comedic relief is rife,  with the writers providing much of it – a lesbian crime fiction writer, a man struggling to write about Thomas Hardy, countless unpublished writers and the incessant line of women who come to the retreat for Nicholas and his ‘crime writing weekends’. All the credit goes to Tamsin Greig in her turn as the long suffering Beth, she portrays the character as vulnerable yet not without a sense of humour, after finding her husband has been cheating she begins to cry but can only say ‘I’ve stood in the cake mix!’.

All in all I think Tamara Drewe is a very well written, entertaining British film. It shows Gemma Arterton’s talent in an understated yet moving performance and highlights how many under the radar amazing British actors and actresses we have. However, I do feel that the end of the film was a little rushed, Tamara never fully revealed herself and we didn’t get a grand reconcile between her and Andy, just a quick smooch on the doorstep. I hoping the open ending means a sequel is in the works….

Kayleigh xxx