'Ali & Ava': social realism with a poetic touch

There is no law that says that British social realist cinema must be grey, cold and miserable with the tapping of rain on unwashed windows as its only music. Clio Barnard knows that and charms with the hopeful and musical Ali & Ava. The director continues the tradition of Ken Loach with a greater sensitivity to film poetry.

Ali & Ava is less stunning than her breakthrough film The Selfish Giant but warmer and more romantic. In Bradford, England, two generous but lonely and hurt people feel good around each other. The differences in age, background, family situation and music taste are considerable. So what?

ALI & AVA
UK, dir.: Clio Barnard, act.: Adeel Akhtar, Claire Rushbrook, Shaun Thomas