Writer: George Miles (Screenplay)
Starring: Jamie Satterthwaite, Sara Jewell, Richard Summers-Calvert
Plot: Mike is stuck in a rut. Same routine every day; get up go to work and try to not get too annoyed by his idiot housemate Pete. Things take an unexpected turn however when Maddie shows up in his life.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Wonderful Story Telling
Story: Shopping Channels starts with the aftermath of a party where Mike (Satterthwaite) and house mate Pete (Summers-Calvert) where we learn that Mike has a set routine and doesn’t go mad at the parties, while Pete is a wild party animal. While cleaning they find Maddie (Jewell) asleep on their sofa from the night before.
When the seemingly odd couple Mike and Maddie start bonding Mike volunteers to take Maddie to a wedding leaving the pair on a road trip neither was expecting, where Mike comes out of his shell thanks to Maddie being much more open in her way of looking at life.
Shopping Channels puts us into the everyday lives of our three characters, we have a building friendship to a potential relationship without going all out to make it romantic based film. The whole film is about learning about a new person in their lives going through all the situations you would go through especially if you are slightly defensive about giving away too much. I have seen plenty of films that have tried to over complicate a new friendship but this could be one of the most realistic creations I have ever scene. (8/10)
Actor Review
Jamie Satterthwaite: Mike lives his life in full routine never moving away from his routine, but when he cleans up after a party he finds Maddie a girl that makes him reconsider his life options. Mike volunteers to take Maddie to a wedding where he ends up discovering world outside his comfort zone and shopping channel obsession. Jamie gives a good performance in the leading role. (7/10)
Sara Jewell: Maddie is the girl that the boys find after their own party, she is free spirit but ends up grabbing the attention of Mike as the pair end up on a road trip to Scotland for a wedding. Sara gives us a good performance with great back and forth between Maddie and Mike. (7/10)
Richard Summers-Calvert: Pete is the idiot room mate of Mike, who likes to party and making random choices and is easily the added comic relief on this film. Richard does end up becoming the supporting character but creates most of the laughs. (7/10)
Support Cast: Shopping Channels doesn’t have any more people in this film just the three stars.
Director Review: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou – Hassan achieves what many film makers fail at, telling a great story with real accuracy on what real life would be lik (8/10)
Comedy: Shopping Channels has solid laughs from the Pete character but doesn’t resort to stupid jokes while keeping everything everyday humor. (7/10)
Romance: Shopping Channels creates the idea of a romantic angle showing how getting to know someone can become difficult at the start. (7/10)
Settings: Shopping Channels gives us the basic everyday settings which helps the film feel like an everyday event. (8/10)
Suggestion: Shopping Channels is one to watch, because nearly everyone will be able to relate to the situation both Mike and Maddie would go through at this stage f the relationship. (Watch)
Best Part: The trip.
Worst Part: Nope.
Funniest Scene: Pretty Woman
Believability: The story is fictional but would reflex real life well. (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Budget: £1,000
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Tagline: It’s time to turn over.
Overall: Wonderful Story telling, a true gem of British Cinema
Rating