Advanced preview time & i am very grateful for this one. This is a set of 3 films that im interested in that come out just before i go away which i might miss so seeing this now is like yes please lets go. So its time to see if Sir Ian can own it as The Critic.

Now every now & then we get a freebie with our advanced preview… today… FREE MEDIUM SALTED POPCORN! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best one so far (except the free goodie bag someone got once which wasnt me) But yea that was good.

It was an older audience for sure. Maybe 2 other millennial groups. But defiantly plus 50 & plus 60s in age for sure.

Trailers, Speak no evil, Never let go, The Outrun, Megalopolis (finally its out in like 3 weeks) & there was one more ( it was nothing Pedro related but i cant remember what it was).

& then the film started… well that had a lot of promise but it undid itself.

Now i know i go on a lot about films being too long due to over exposition at times, but you got to get he balance right. This film felt rushed so much so that act 2 was literally 15mins if anything. It was like it missed out a whole 15min section of this film, to explain a few changes to characters opinions or what they did & if it had spent the time to do that, id be sitting here going this is must see cinema. ITs not even like its a long film its 101mins. Thats it. Those extra 15mins would have solved so much.

Its a shame because the film was doing so well without that part missing. Everyone was acting their arse off. McKellen, Strong, Arterton, Enoch (who i spent a good 10mins going i know you before going ahhh 5pts to Gryffindor, well done Dean Thomas) Even the guy from Star Struck in the 3 scenes he was in was good. The script was solid. It had several interesting story lines going on which really gripped you. From how gay people were treated, to using people, manipulating & people who were uperty too. It covered all of it & gave it all space to blossom. So that missing section was such a pain.

It did wasnt to tell 3 main storys but maybe it should have put 2 as the forefront & then had one as a side. Again i think act 2 being improved would have helped.

As much as Arterton was good, she could have been better used. I get it especially for the time & setting of the film, it was the point i got that. But she has such more potential to show, much like the actress she was playing. Also casting Lesley as her mum was like yessssssss queen & then she was in 3 scenes & that was it.

Mark Strong is always a stand out in anything hes in. Which is saying a lot as he was against McKellen for most of it. But he was so captivating, you really hated him & felt for him at the same time. Also no country roads (if youve seen it that makes sense).

I like how some characters who were actually important didnt meet until much later in the film. Yes people met along the way & then suddenly act 3 it all unravelled really well.

Uperty people booo & stately homes too. Urgh pet peeves.

I spent ages trying to work out who that other critic guy was early on in the film, he gets his house blown up in Hot Fuzz. I was like why do i only remember a drunk you & then when i worked it out i was so happy.

Were gentleman’s clubs & that long a lunch really that much of a thing back in the day? As a woman who didnt live in that generation im just interested.

This had a strong story & characters & actors to be exceptional, but it fell short all of not adding in an extra 10 minutes of the film. This isnt for the tiktok generation, this is for old school movie goers, they want their time with a movie. You decision to do this left the film feeling unfinished.