Sweetheart (I) (2021) User Reviews (15)

Like someone's fantasy of coming out as a teen

[coombsstephen · 5/10 · 29 September 2021]

An ok film about an akward teen coming out to a very pretty girl. However It seemed like someone's idea of the ideal way of coming out rather than what I guess real life is actually like.

It's ok if a little slow and maybe could have been a bit more like real life with a more realistic live interest.

oh how sweet it is...

[ops-52535 · 7/10 · 28 October 2021]

To hate all and everyone, due to the hormonal developments in a young british teenagers body, growing up in a society where sexual norms has smoldered into pieces and the choice of the 2 standard gender has become multible genders, that makes a bewildered and confused young lass become a danger to society and family, and the psychosocial stand to take becomes the toughest task to make in your lifetime.

Even though sad and serious, it has a bright side too, of warmth and giggelish british humour, with some archbritish holiday/caravan park amusement, and a dressing code and make up taste that only the brits can do.

The grumpy old man and ditto wife that agrees that we are glad that ''we have had the time of our life'', had a good laugh at times, its not a perfect match, but made to make you feel and emphasize. A 7 for this lot.

I'm sorry I spoiled the vacation

[Red-125 · 7/10 · 12 October 2021]

Sweetheart (2021) is a movie from the UK that was written and directed by Marley Morrison. It stars Nell Barlow as AJ, a troubled, depressed adolescent. Jo Hartley portrays Tina, her mother. Ella-Rae Smith is Isla, a lifeguard at the caravan beach resort where the family goes for a vacation.

AJ is the protagonist, so we naturally want to see things her way. However, she's hard to like. In movies, as in life, sullen depressed people pull you down, even when you try to lift them up. That's how the movie starts, and the plot continues from there.

This is a pretty good film, especially because the actors are talented professionals. It's definitely not a feel-good movie, although it has its moments. We saw Sweetheart virtually as part of ImageOut, the outstanding Rochester LGBT Film Festival. The movie has an IMDb rating of 6.9. I agreed, and rated it 7.

A story about teenagers real teenagers

[henri-26842 · 10/10 · 25 November 2022]

Though there are more drugs than perhaps would be realistic at the holiday park this is a story about being a queer teen and working stuff out. AJ is like a real kid and the dynamics and struggles are what every British kid knows. Nobody is in the wrong and it truly builds empathy which is great to see. Honestly a great movie with a great soundtrack and is funny amongst the angst. It is positive about people who struggle with their gender and their sexuality without showing any shame in relation to these issues. So, watch able and the cringe is worth it because of the happiness and sweetness shown.

Contrived, predictable and boring

[cliffordkumar · 1/10 · 19 September 2021]

Every character, setting, dialogue and event is so contrived, predictable and ultimately unforgivably boring. Nothing new to say at all. Really cringeworthy dialogue at certain times. Seems like an A-level student drama brought to the screen. Imagine every cliche out there thrown into a blender and what you get is a very boring plate of plain mashed potato. Nothing offensive just dreadfully dull.

The camera work is so shoddy that many times angles are fixed on screen.

Am a big supporter of small, independent art house movies but stuff like this gives those a bad name. Can't believe the National Lottery funded this.

A "Gregory's Girl" for Gen-Z

[bob-the-movie-man · 8/10 · 22 September 2021]

When I was in my late teen's, Bill Forsyth's "Gregory's Girl" perfectly epitomised the angst of the school years' emotions I'd left behind me. And I was very much heterosexual. With "Sweetheart", Marley Morrison in an astonishing feature debut delivers a "Gregory's Girl" for today's much more sexually fluid times.

Positives:

• What a great ensemble cast! It's all headed up by Nell Barlow, amazingly in her feature debut. Nell manages to perfectly deliver the hair-pullingly frustrating unpredictability of a teenage girl: always planning to go off doing something worthy like "knitting jumpers for elephants in Indonesia". But she manages to keep the portrayal just the right side of parody, not straying into 'Kevin and Perry' territory. "What's wrong with you?" asks her mother. "I'm 17. Everything's wrong with me" she replies. It's an immaculate performance for someone so young.

• Jo Hartley is also fabulous as A. J.'s mum, a lost soul struggling with her own worries, without having those of AJ to add to them. It's not portrayed as a typical 'Mum v Teen' battle, but beautifully nuanced. "Just because you're a lesbian now, it doesn't mean you have to dress like a boy" she pleads with A. J.
• If you're trying to place her, Ella Rae-Smith was the striking girl in the baseball cap in Netflix's "The Stranger". She is also wonderful here, as the 'hot girl' who you think has it all but is underneath deeply troubled and conflicted. A sex scene (beautifully lit and filmed - by either Emily Almond Barr or Matthew Wicks - manages to show absolutely nothing but is deliciously erotic as a result.

• The writing by Marley Morrison feels very autobiographical. And, as I found through reading this Guardian article about Morrison's gender-journey, there is a lot of personal experience in here. It's clever that the film is claustrophobically set in the remote holiday park (actually the real Freshwater Beach Holiday Park near Bridport on the Dorset coast). If it had been set in a big city like London, AJ could have constantly fled from her feelings, never resolving them. Here, she is constantly running into Isla.... there is no escape.

• I also very much liked the relationship written between A. J. and Steve. Steve is almost the safety valve on the pressure cooker, always helpfully allowing some steam to escape. It adds warmth to the story.

• For such an indie picture, there's a range of great tunes on the soundtrack: mostly from bands I have never heard of (probably making it affordable). I'm not sure if there's to be a soundtrack album released, but it's worth a listen if so.

Negatives:

• I wasn't fond of the sound mix on the film. Some of the dialogue was indistinct.

• A. J. gives us an occasional running commentary of her thoughts as a voiceover. Regular readers of my blog will know my thoughts on this subject! I'm not sure if it added much to the story: a 'show-not-tell' approach would have been my preference.

Summary Thoughts on "Sweetheart": I likened this film to 1980's "Gregory's Girl", and that's a great compliment. That movie made stars out of John Gordon Sinclair and Clare Grogan. I'd predict similar great things for Nell Barlow, Ella Rae-Smith and particularly for writer/director Marley Morrison. I'll very much look forward to Marley's future projects. It's a cracking little British film. It deserves a major cinema release, but I suspect this is one that you might need to hunt out at your less mainstream cinemas. But please do so - it's well worth it. Very much recommended.

(For the full graphical review and video, check out #onemannsmovies on the web, Facebook and Tiktok. Thank-you!)

Snoozefest

[Boristhemoggy · 5/10 · 13 November 2022]

I watched this for the 'socially awkward' element. I am interested in peoples' experiences and opinions of teens and adults who experience this 'not fitting in'.

There definitely were some scenes where you could see the impact social anxiety has on all of the family, but sadly this was done in and 'Eastenders' way in that it was all melodramatic, shouting, hissy fits, huffs and making up.

That of course is an element of life but you'd think skilled film makers would find a way to film it all from the perspective of the emotions inside of each person, not the external shouting and name calling.

This is typical of BBC programmes where everything has to be what they call gritty, or down to earth. It's a bit sad that that's the only way they think they can sell a show.

There were a few odd good bits in mainly from Nell Barlow who I've never seen but really liked. She seemed authentic and I noticed things she did which mirrored actions of socially awkward people that I know.

I gave this a 5 mostly for Barlow, but sadly the film as a whole was mishandled by poor dialogue, videography and direction.

Best LGBTQI comedy/drama out there!!

[hlmorrison-70133 · 10/10 · 6 March 2021]

Looking for a feel good movie that captivates the true side to life in the shoes of a young gay 17 year old?? Sweetheart is definitely everything you need for a film night in... look no further!

La Isla Bonita

[frukuk · 3/10 · 4 December 2022]

As another reviewer points out, a big negative here is the insistent and excessive use of voice-over. Do we really need to hear AJ's thoughts? Why make a film if you have no confidence that the audience will be able to work things out for themselves?

But if you can get past hearing what AJ is thinking, this is a reasonably entertaining and gentle look at adolescence. (Of course, if you've been through adolescence yourself, much of this will feel familiar and not revelatory.)

I don't think this is so much like Gregory's Girl (1980) as it is Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet (1990). Though it's possible it's just the family setting and the accent of some of the characters that remind me of the latter?

One of the more underrated Coming of Age British films out there

[scheevers-50200 · 8/10 · 14 June 2023]

Marley Morrison's gem of a debut film Sweetheart, is that type of film sadly probably end up near the bottom of most streaming sites and probably go out of print on DVD or Blu-Ray over the next few years. Which is a damn shame cause it's a great coming of age film set on hoilday beach resorts in the UK.

It's not a film with the usual British character actors or has a major budget (to be fair, besides maybe durng the 80's disco scene near the end with it's soundtrack. You rarely feel the low budget). Even the cast is really only 10 people and three of them are only seen here and there.

The film is pretty much carried by. Nell Barlow as AJ (she won a award or two in the UK for her performance, well deserved too). In a lesser actress hands, AJ could be really dislikeable. But Barlow makes you care for AJ. She's definitely someone to keep a eye out for in the future.

Also the underused and always great Jo Hartley as AJ's mum almost steals the film from Barlow and is given a few nice scenes at the end. Sophia Di Martino as AJ's sister is probably the most well known to many for her role in Loki. But she's great. As is Samuel Anderson as AJ's brother in law and little. Tabitha Bryon as AJ's younger sister.

I also like AJ's love interest Isla (played nicely by. Ella-Rae Smith). The romance gets plenty of film's running time. And nice mix of romance and drama between them. Smith and Barlow have great chemistry. The film has the usual parent and misunderstood teen drama you expect from films like this. But it's done really well. Aslo it's nice that AJ's sexuality isn't a major point of the film, she's already out to her family before the film even begins.

The ending is a nice bittersweet one. I think the right ending to go with for this film.

I have to keep my eye out for Marley Morrison and Nell Barlow for the future. A shame the film didn't find a big audience as it was released mid way through the pandemic (it's only got 746 votes on IMDB). It's not a lost classic or anything but it's a better film then it's 6.6 rating on here.

Full of heart

[Goosegirl14 · 8/10 · 13 October 2021]

This was such a great film. The type of film that evokes almost the full spectrum of emotions! I laughed, felt frustration, annoyance, sadness and mu heart glowed a lot by the end! Serious subjects and issues confronted but in an accessible and very relatable way.

At the beginning what seem to be fairly obvious and stereotypical (even comical?) characters, soon become complex and deeply developed people with who most people could find reflections of themselves. I thought the performances were excellent. Most significantly by Nell Barlow, Ella-Rae Smith and the sometimes overlooked Jo Hartley, who I wish we saw more of. I hope after this film she is considered for lead parts in prime time dramas.

A British set film.

Very relatable

[mfmr-77416 · 10/10 · 4 January 2022]

I think every teenager should watch this movie, specially the ones who belong to LGBT+ community, I related a lot with AJ, they tell her story as a real story, all the confusion, the changes of the teenage.

Every character has their own essence and you can love them or hate them, or both at the same time haha, they help you to understand the point of view of every member of the family and their role in it.

SPOILERS WARNING The moment when Tina go party and has fun was amazing, a mom who needed some liberation and a moment of stress free represents (I think) all what moms need aside being a mom.

I loved Steve he's so sweet with AJ.

Lucy was very funny, sometimes I hated how she treated AJ but even with that she worried about her, as the good older sister she is.

I liked how Isla helped AJ to be herself and gave her a memorable holidays.

Really enjoyable heartfelt film

[gilesbattye · 8/10 · 18 October 2021]

I really enjoyed this film, the acting was good it was funny in the right places and it made my heart ache over lost love. I'm not sure the sexuality matters so much it's just love whatever your sex. Great film to get you thinking!

Heartwarming and totally engaging film

[iandracott · 10/10 · 7 November 2022]

A gentle coming of age film, that anyone who remembers their teenage years will identify with.

Experiencing those awkward times when you are still finding out who you are.

When no-one understands you, not even your family, even though they have your best interests at heart.

Beautifully portrayed by a convincing cast, set in a picturesque if typically British holiday camp location.

Captures all the gentle angst of family holidays with different generations convinced they know what everyone else needs to do to enjoy themselves.

Add in romance and what's not to like.

Definitely recommend it 👌

Sweet nothings.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 10/10 · 8 March 2021]

Nearing the closing weekend of the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival,I decided to go for one of the three "World Premier" screenings/streams taking place. Becoming curious about the title due to it being the only one of the trio I could not find any advance reviews of,I got set to meet my sweetheart.

View on the film:

Revealing in a interview with the two lead actresses afterwards that the film was shot in just three weeks,predominantly on a real holiday camp, writer/director Marley Morrison makes a superb coming of age, feature film debut.

Morrison overcomes the original cinematographer quitting in the middle of production, thanks to balancing stylish, over-saturated close-ups on the loved-up eyes of AJ's sightings of Isla, with the glorious un- sentimental image of the British holiday camp, with Morrison snapping hilarious antics in the confined living conditions of AJ and her family, and their attempt to get into the holiday spirit, under the dreary weather.

Mentioning in the discussion after the screening that she got the idea for the setting from it being a British working class tradition to spend Summer family breaks in a holiday camp, the screenplay by Morrison follows AJ's coming of a age with excellent characterization, which is unafraid to paint her in a less then flattering light during her moody bickering with family members, that cleverly heightens the rose-tinted glasses mind-set AJ has when she comes of age when falling head over heels for Isla.

Appearing in every scene, Nell Barlow gives a fantastic performance as AJ,thanks to Barlow bringing out a comedic edge to AJ's frustrations of being dragged along on this holiday, with a growing warmth to the growing bond with her family,and AJ's passionate, bitter-sweet embrace of Isla. Catching AJ's attention due to smelling of chlorine, Ella-Rae Smith gives an enchanting turn as Isla,which blends sweet hazy passions with raw frustrations,as AJ meets her sweetheart.