Days of the Bagnold Summer

Best known for his roles in Friday Night Dinner and The Inbetweeners, Simon Bird steps behind the camera for a less dialogue driven look at familial angst. Based on Joff Winterhart's graphic novel and written by Lisa Owens, it's the story of taciturn teenager Daniel Bagnold (Earl Cave), who is forced to spend the summer with his librarian mother Sue (Monica Dolan of TV's W1A) when his useless, Florida-based father pulls out of a plan for him to visit. With Daniel sulking angrily and Sue exasperated from her efforts, their relationship is set to snap. Although painfully recognisable in its depiction of parent-teen trials, the story can feel overly familiar and a little slight. Gentle by nature, Days of the Bagnold Summer never digs into Daniel's depression or takes us into uncomfortable terrain. But, working with cinematographer Simon Tindall, debut director Bird shows a sharp eye for cinematic compositions, bringing ample awkwardness to every interaction and putting Sue's Metallica-loving offspring at amusing odds with the sereneness of suburbia. And, while Cave glowers suitably, elevating Dolan to a feature lead is the film's real stroke of genius; as comedically on point as ever and with her character heartrendingly unappreciated, she transforms this humdrum mum into a hero.