Third Star
Complex emotional journey of a man in the final stages of life, starring Benedict Cumberbatch
(15) 85min
In this road-trip movie with a twist, Benedict Cumberbatch plays James, a young man who is dying of cancer, on a camping trip with three friends. What is sold as a simple, matey excursion soon degenerates. The group lose their belongings, their inhibitions and their will to live. Squabbling leads to full-blown arguments and, as devastating secrets are revealed, they realise that all lives fall apart sometimes, regardless of your fate. As James comes to the realisation that he is now as alive as he’ll ever be, he presents his friends with a difficult ethical choice. As a result, the question arises: how far will you go for a friend who has nothing left to lose?
Hattie Dalton's feature debut is marked by a simplicity that sits well with the complex emotional journey undertaken by the characters. Former Bollywood DP Carlos Catalán's cinematography is also striking, veering from minimalistic horizon shots to hazy, arty slo-mo sequences. It is, however, Cumberbatch’s portrayal of a young man in the final clutches of life that forms the crux of this film. His performance is moving and sensitive, at once full of grace and, most importantly, realism.
Released Mon 12 Sep.