 A MOVIE ABOUT LOVE BY SARA DARLING A bittersweet romance by Simon Amstell. Yes, Simon Amstell the comedian. This semi-autobiographical love story takes us through lust, love, relationships and heartbreak in ninety minutes and provides a voyeuristic look into leading man- wannabe filmmaker, Benjamin, uses his disastrous relationships as the material for his work. With one award under his belt, we join the skittish movie maker in the week of release of film number two, and although he is likeable, he is also really annoying because of his insecurities. Benjamin, played by a bashful Colin Morgan, is Amstel with an accent, and the viewer may easily question if he has the competence as a filmmaker, as his social skills are painful. However, urged to go out and network by his hyperactive publicist Billie (played fantastically by Jessica Raine) he sets eyes on a delightful French musician, Noah (Phénix Brossard), who woos him with his sultry voice and eye contact from the stage. Not having the confidence to go and speak to him, there is a camp element to the narrative, and the awkwardness of the crush is actually very cute. Meanwhile, the latest movie is a flop, with critics on the scene dropping him like a hot potato, which adds to his self-destruction. Even his publicist didn’t watch it all the way through!  Adding to the stress of making a comeback in the industry, and facing the media, he underestimates his feelings for Noah. What seemed to have so much promise at the start, begins to fade fast and crumble with high and impossible reassurance demands. Exposing the fickle nature of the film industry, the comedic elements, spiral from the failed movie and the secondary affair that Benjamin's best friend and co-writing partner is having with Billie, who wants nothing more to do with him in the daylight! Bed swapping, back stabbing and some jolly good tunes.... Above all it’s a film for anyone who has put their heart or soul into a vulnerable situation, anyone who doesn’t have thick skin, and anyone who has ever been in love.  Benjamin / released on DVD 12th August.
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