- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
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4 out of 5
This trim, tense and intricately constructed psychodrama from writer/director Johannes Roberts is best described as French chiller Ils in a school. After a previous violent classroom incident with a pupil, English teacher Robert Anderson (a superb David Schofield) has become a cynical, alcoholic shadow of his former self, and is alienated from his daughter (Eliza Bennett). When he stays late at school one night he is forced to face his demons as the building comes under attack from a faceless threat intent on causing maximum bloody mayhem. Touching on numerous contemporary issues, F (for Fail) derives its potent suspense from the sickening feelings of powerlessness that Roberts skilfully conjures out of the fraught atmosphere. The head-scratching climax aside, the shadowy settings, impeccably timed jolts and palpable sense of dread combine for a chilling, if bleak, experience.
Plot Summary
An alcoholic teacher is left unable to cope after a violent incident involving a pupil. He is forced to regain his confidence when a gang of violent teenagers invade the school and brutally murder one of his colleagues, leaving him fighting for his own life and that of his daughter. Horror, with David Schofield, Eliza Bennett and Ruth Gemmell.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Robert Anderson
- David Schofield
- Kate Anderson
- Eliza Bennett
- Sarah Balham
- Ruth Gemmell
- Helen Anderson
- Juliet Aubrey
- Lucy
- Emma Cleasby
- James
- Finlay Robertson
- Nicky
- Roxanne McKee
- Gary
- Tom Mannion
- Jake
- Max Fowler
- Head of school board
- Mike Burnside
- Brian
- Jamie Kenna
Crew
- Director
- Johannes Roberts
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