Went to see Lenny Abrahamson’s film What Richard Did yesterday at the Schull Film Festival. The session started with his first short film 3 Joes. Filmed in black and white, this multi-award winning short looks in on three fellas sharing a house. While not the most flattering portrayal of the Irish male it is visceral, funny and earthy (if earthy is the word you use for groin itching and bum scratching). It is a precursor of Abrahamson’s continuing fascination with maleness, not the performance of masculinity but the every day negotiation with an exterior world of expectations and pressures. The film was on the verge of being lost as there was only one VHS copy of it, but the Festival paid the €40 to have it digitalised and now we have the 3 Joes’ pimple popping saved.
What Richard Did is excellent. A young man who is loved by everybody does something that changes his life forever. But what is really appealing about this film is that the character seems to be playing a persona of charm and responsibility from the beginning. It’s not the too good to be true effect but rather that there is nothing else except the persona, he is not hiding behind it, it is all there is. The young actor who plays Richard, Jack Reynor, is a joy to watch, and his ability to portray a boy who is utterly alone whilst being adored is skillful. The ending speaks to the need we all have to believe we are good people. It didn’t leave me as sad as The Garage did, but then Pat Short’s character was always going to be more sympathetic than a D4 rugby player.
And tomorrow the West Cork season continues with the Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival. I’ll be in my fibreglass kayak. And for the weather watchers amongst us: the sun is shining and it’s meant to last….apparently.
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