Someone Else

Let's quickly boil this one down: Someone Else is an entertaining British movie about failing and blossoming relationships. It remains an actors' showcase, choosing to let body language deliver the meaningful movie dialogue.

David (Stephen Mangan) and Lisa (Susan Lynch) are a couple who have not moved in together in spite of several years as partners. Nina, David's bit on the side, demands commitment of her own, and they continually barter time with one another. Eventually, David sums up the courage to leave Lisa, and spends much of the movie regretting it.

It's a straightforward plot; Woody Allen and Ingmar Bergman have directed pictures like this for years, with far greater wit and actors. Having said that, DoP Trevor Forest creates a splendid look, choosing to frame matters in glorious 2.35:1 widescreen, partitioning space, giving the actors complete focus of the camera. The lighting looks natural (in an excellent blemish-free print, the frame looks like an open window), and the gentle and subtle camera movement supports Spector's easygoing storytelling.

The film subtly and skilfully chronicles four or five relationships, the screenplay never overly monopolising one thread over another. Little zingers pepper the script, delivered to a tee by the deadpan David or his exasparated mate Michael (Shaun Dingwall - of new Doctor Who fame).

Indeed, it has great simplicity in its narrative and dialogue - the language of lovers and cheap card-writers across the world. The film feels real, and of the moment. That's why it works: we empathise, even with David. I only wish it made more of a lasting impact, it's a good movie, but fleeting in the way cinema shouldn't be.