Collision

inutes into Ashley Jacksons powerful and moving short we’re plunged into the memories and emotions of the two protagonists. Marriage isn’t all a bed of roses, and this film explores the relationship between two couples after an event which turns their lives upside down. A car crash reveals the truth behind a hidden relationship which links the two marriages in the form of betrayal, and karma gets its revenge in the new film by Hyperlink Films. Prescott and Smith were tasked with representing the everyday person, with added tragedy and heart melting disloyalty in this new docu-drama. When we first spoke to director Jackson, we were promised a David Fincher (se7en, Fight Club) combined with Ken Wardrop (undressing my mother, farewell packets of ten), styled look. In this case we’ve been disappointed, Jackson reports that “time restraints and dwindling funds!” restricted this proposed style. However what we now see is a film

built with structured and solid shots, confidently put together into a moving and thought provoking narrative. Collision constructs the story of Eddie (Prescott) and Evelyn (Smith), and their respective spouses Rose and Richard. The slow pan and blank look of the title give us nothing as a clue of the story. The name in itself, Collision, makes us think first of car chases, revving engines, and squealing tires, however this piece is much more than it initially appears to be - this is not one of those tedious action “thrillers”. The two stories begin as freestanding interviews about their life and love, b u t t h e y s o o n d e v e l o p i n t o intertwining stories of tragedy. As the name suggests it's a car crash that brings the two stories together, but it’s addressed in a much more mature way with just soft hints of the coll ision. The narrative jumps between the stories, at first the meaning being unobvious. !

The plot makes us as confused as C h r i s t o p h e r N o l a n ’ s L e o n a r d (Memento). However the narrative unwinds as the film progresses and subtle flashes of cars and hospital beds build understanding. The content has been thought out with thorough understanding of audience and genre, the characters, location and all aspects of misé-en-scene considered. This style is one we’ve come to expect from Jackson, and one that we’re so fond of, and in this film its continued right through the film from the titles, to the carefully crafted shots, to the credits. Although the script is brilliantly constructed, Eddie’s reactions could be questioned. Without giving too much away, It’s possible that he’s too forgiving for the situation. Although Prescott’s interpretation of the character is powerful, yet softly portrayed, we feel there isn’t enough depth to his emotions. He seems to quick to accept his wife’s disloyalty. Relying heavily on the moving dialogue, Jackson uses solid and meaningful shots, soft and appraising close ups and an emotive music bed to construct a moving and powerful narrative. The empathetic style is mirrored by the deep characterization form the protagonists, packing heart melting real life into a portrait of grief stricken love as compelling as its is sad. !

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Directed by Ashley Jackson Starring Jeff Prescott, Angela Smith Released TBC

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