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Cashback is directed by Sean Ellis and stars Sean Biggerstaff,
Emilia Fox, and Michelle Ryan. The film's musical score
is composed by Guy Farley. ***
Cashback follows the life of a young artist. He and
his girlfriend break up, and to help deal with the insomnia
he gains as a result, he gets a job working a graveyard
shift in the local supermarket. Having a very vivid imagination,
he frequently has fantasies of stopping time and undressing
female customers in the store, so that he can admire them
for their natural beauty. He also becomes interested in
a co-worker at the store, as he continues working there.
***
Cashback is one of the most unusual films this review
has seen in quite some time…. And not in a bad way either.
This is one of the freshest, most unique films of recent
years, due in no small part to the fact that there's nothing
else out there quite like it. The acting is surprisingly
good, the storyline and themes explored always hold your
interest, and there's a genuine human quality throughout
the presentation that never fades away. Some potential viewers
may be put off by the overabundance of nudity and a storyline
that sometimes feels a bit “out there”, but I'm still giving
it a strong recommendation. ***
Perhaps the greatest praise this reviewer can give
to Cashback would go to its leading man, Sean Biggerstaff.
Throughout the film he excellently portrays our hero, distraught
and lost in the world following a painful break-up. The
film chronicles his journey from this sorrowful experience,
up to using his newfound supermarket job to engage his other
desires - and even pursuing a potential new romance. Interested
in women for their artistic qualities and not their sexual
ones, he remains an interesting character for the film's
duration. Combined with the excellent direction of Sean
Ellis, this is one of the best performances I've seen at
the movies in quite some time. ***
I have to give a warning to any potential viewers of
this film - if you are in any way offended by female nudity,
DO NOT see this film. In keeping with the main character's
fantasies and flashbacks, women are frequently undressed
and featured nude. This DOES include full-frontal, and even
some genital area shots. While this certainly didn't detract
from the experience for this reviewer, I know there are
people out there who are easily offended by nudity, and
I feel obligated to include this disclaimer for them. ***
What it comes down to is that Cashback is one of the
most unique and original films to come along in a long time.
The characters are interesting, the acting and direction
solid, and the plot never loses your interest, while at
the same time maintaining a human quality throughout. ---
Image And Sound:
I got a screener copy of the film - which featured
the standard “property of Magnolia Pictures” watermark for
the film's duration, and the image was a bit fuzzy and soft.
However as a screener this does not speak for the final-released
product. ---
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