Dark desires appear to be both an answer and a contradiction in Tim Kent‘s new sexually-driven drama-cum-noir SPARROW’S CALL.
Successful teacher and writer Mike Wallace (David Bark-Jones) is struggling to maintain domestic bliss with his wife Sarah (Yasmine Holness-Dove) and keeping things grounded with their young daughter. One night, whilst out with colleagues for a birthday celebration of one of them at a London West End strip club, he encounters dancer Val (Billie Vee, who also wrote the film). After the shenanigans, he witnesses Val being attacked in the club’s back alley by an assailant and asserts himself to save her night.
The friendship begins to evolve, as does the desire and love. However, Mike realizes that all love comes with a price, something that perhaps he must consider if he is to evolve and thrive in the future. A mega-money book contract is also at stake….
With the debate currently raging over feminism v patriarchy in the shadow of BARBIE‘s mega-buster success worldwide, SPARROW’S CALL isn’t exactly the sort of the film that will prompt a new fairer sex revolution. It’s more in tone with the likes of BASIC INSTINCT, BITTER MOON and FATAL ATTRACTION, focusing on a man’s baser desires emanating from sheer boredom and emotional conflict, punctuated with a twist or two. Kent uses an alternating narrative structure which subverts some elements whilst providing clarity on the relationship dynamic between Mike and Val as it drives a wedge between him and Sarah.
Refreshingly, there is some context to the sexual shenanigans and a violent shock or two (not for the more squeamish amongst you) which in a way works in the film’s favour as there seems to be more context to the actions of an irresponsible male protagonist. The writings of Nietzsche punctuate specific moments in the film, as well as Mike’s own teachings to his students.
A bonus joy is seeing Valerie Colgan, who was most familiar to audiences up to now as the cynical ‘Company’ executive that rebuffed Sigourney Weaver‘s Ripley during her trial at the outset of James Cameron‘s ALIENS, playing Val’s invalid grandmother. She communicates such a great performance with limited means of expression and is one of the film’s best. That said, Bark-Jones and Vee are terrific in the main leads, backed up by Holness-Dove who provides incredible emotional balance as the troubled wife.
It’s rare – and refreshing – to see the sort of twisted noir one associates with the Coen Brothers being made in Britain. It does have its’ moments and fans of this type of genre film will take interest.
SPARROW’S CALL plays as part of the London Independent Film Festival 2024. For tickets and info please go to:
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