The film of Kevin Sampson’s Awaydays arrives on DVD… Everything seems too new, consequently the clothing seems far too clean for the period.
The late Seventies, as I remember them, at least, were hardly a hotbed of fashion.
Blue, green or brown parkas were the order of the day for most.
Can you imagine a film set in 1990 obsessed with shell suit culture?
Me neither, but, no doubt, the day will come.
There is a pleasing attention to period detail beyond the fashion.
So we have genuine Austin 1300 and Allegro cars, surprisingly free from the rust that sealed their reputations.
It would seem the last remaining Morris Marinas have all met their makers onTop Gear!
As with so many adaptations, the film ultimately falls short.
When one reads a book the characters that come to life on the page also inhabit your thoughts.
The film does have a couple of redeeming features, however.
It has to be said, when the extras upstage the main feature there is something clearly amiss.
The BBCs permission wasnt forthcoming given the violent context.
Both these elements would have lifted the film considerably.
On The Bench is a frank and rather crude featurette focussing on the stars Liam Boyle and Nick Bell.
The superficial tone extends to the questioning: favourite song on the soundtrack?
favourite item of clothing in the film?
Theres a look at the European colours of the classic Fred Perry polo shirt.
Auditions is a tedious audition tape reel which adds very little to the overall package.
Film:
Awaydaysis out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
2 out of 5
