Candlestick (2014) Directed by Christopher Presswell. Starring: Andrew Fitch, Isla Ure, Nigel Thomas. IMDB Says: “A social gathering is rocked to its core when Jack accuses his best friend’s wife of infidelity. But as the allegations start flying, it soon emerges that a far more sinister game may be at play.”
Candlestick is an independent British film by up-and-coming director Christopher Preswell. The film is set entirely in one location and focuses on the interactions between a group of friends when one accuses the other’s wife of having an affair. The film is very dialogue heavy with only one real action sequence. In a lot of ways, the film harkens back to a time of simpler film making, channeling the work of Hitchcock. The film uses the confined space and abundant dialogue to slowly build suspense right up to the climax.
Obviously a film like this isn’t for everyone. There is very little in the way of engaging scenes or actions that would keep the audience drawn in. Candlestick is definitely a slow burn. It’s a quiet film that works is way through this dinner party and presents a very true-to-life depiction of what could happen. There are no special effects to speak of, the sound editing is very low-key, and gone is the usual Hollywood flair for the theatrical. For me this made the film a little hard to stay interested in. I suppose you need to be in the right frame of mind for this picture, perhaps with a cup of cocoa and a lap dog.
From a technical standpoint, there is very little to complain about. I felt like all of the actors did a superb job embodying their characters, nothing felt forced or insincere. The dialogue, while somewhat dry, was well-written and well-suited for the direction this film was going in. I was honestly impressed with what director Christopher Preswell was able to do here. Having only one setting, which is a modest apartment, Preswell is able to make the space work to the advantage of the film. The cinematography and framing are quite well done. I was happy with the slow build, even if the climax became increasingly predictable as the story dragged on.
All in all, I have to say this was a good film. I am hesitant to use the word enjoyable because this isn’t a fun-filled film or an action-packed powerhouse or a roller coaster thrill ride. It’s a modern day take on classic drama. It’s slow and at times dull, but it’s well made and if the viewer can maintain interest in the characters, worth the somewhat laborious ride to the end. As I said earlier, it is exceptionally well made, particularly when you consider that the major players have little experience with full-length films. Anyone who enjoys looking at a film for more than what is on the surface, a quick laugh, or a hard-hitting scene; anyone who can appreciate the art of film-making is bound to enjoy Candlestick.
OVERALL SCORE: 65%
Candlestick begins a one week engagement in Los Angeles on April 11th, launching simultaneously on VOD, before being released on DVD and Blu-Ray on April 14th.