ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Hayleigh Joseph This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

Ella-May O'Brien Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

James Jay A true life fairy tale that explores what so many people experience, the odd couple in a new town wanting desperately to make friends and become accepted, but find themselves lured by the wicked side of those around them to do things they think they must do, or cannot do and the consequences that human beings can lead others into when they enjoy making them unhappy rather than choosing love and the unhappiness and and truths that this brings home. Remarkable debut for someone who had never directed on this scale before and a thought provoking movie everyone should see, especially parents and schoolchildren.

bellej-13318 .. Pin Cushion.. a coming of age film.. shocking in content & very emotional.. left me feeling angry.. feeling gutted.. & driving with tears in my eyes.. so many Iona's.. so many Keeley's.. so many loving mother's who don't quite fit in.. so very sad.. I saw the film on my own.. it's never bothered me.. I like my own company as much as others.. & I've never liked to restrict my life based on what others can & cant do.. even Cinderella dressed up & went to the ball by herself.. inspiring right there.. after watching the movie, I realised we need to empower all girls to have the strength to walk alone when needed.. to fully assert themselves when required.. to accept themselves, quirks & all.. & to reject manipulative behaviour from others.. whether from an adult or child.. very moved by this film.. I imagine it will hit cords everywhere x

tdkavanagh-1 A bold feature debut by Writer-Director Deborah Haywood, this film is everything that is great about British cinema (incredible performances, sharp humour, wonderful characterisation in a relatable setting), but avoids many (if not all) of its cliches.At its heart the film tackles the themes of adolescence, bullying, social isolation and mental health without becoming burdened with psychoanalysis. It presents social structures of children and adults in its reality (granted for many this will be an extreme reality) and simply tells the story of two unique characters trying to navigate pitfalls they're tragically unprepared for.With a brutal honesty that never becomes overtly graphic, there are many shocking moments to this story. But herein lies its brilliance. It is not a paint by numbers 'girl tries to fit in before realising her inner beauty and learns to love herself instead'; it is a dark fairytale (though we tend to forget that almost all fairytales are dark), often reminiscent of Fran Walsh & Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures but wonderfully original.Within the film's brilliant cast there are standout performances from the leads Lily Newmark and the wonderful character actor Joanna Scanlan. While they've been gifted two of the years most eccentric and memorable characters, they bring them to life with such authenticity it's hard not to expect them to be receiving awards next year.The highs and minor low for me come in the form of the direction. A brief scene where one of the film's bullies pontificates how their behaviour would improve in a different environment is so understated a lesser director would have had it on the cutting room floor or worse still expanded it into a third-act redemption for the bully, undermining our hero's plight. Instead it is a beautiful moment of reality, of which this film contains many.When Iona and Lyn enter the nearby corner shop there is a sickening blue cast from the lighting, a motif that's not repeated in any other setting and while there could be further meaning to it, it was lost on me and formed a small insignificant distraction. After all, in every other moment in the film colour is used to great effect, particularly in the fantastical vision's Iona uses to escape reality.This film is not going to make you feel better about the world but it certainly isn't going to lecture you about it. It's a disturbingly beautiful fairytale that sadly is set in the real world, but will bring you real moments of joy and innocence along the way. Go see this, it's wonderful.

dannar-leitmaa In some reason I saw it as an entrance for horror festival. It is not horror movie, although there are some similarities with Carrie, Requiem For a Dream or with 13 reason why. Story evolves around socially incapable mother whose only friend are her daughter, some birds and porcelain dolls. Mother and daughter have really close relationship, but as daughter is getting older she's trying to find some friends of her own. Similarity with Carrie? - Daughter is not well accepted by her schoolmates. There is no paranormality. Similarity with Requiem for A Dream? - Lapses of reality and sequences which are mere hallucinations. Similarity with 13 reasons why? - How can one mistake lead to the catastrophe.Great movie, really great.