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★★★
Written & Directed by: #RajabMahmood
Starring: #TharunChelley, #AlexandraBiggs
A heartbroken, failing writer is resurged with happiness, with the arrival of the ex that broke his heart.
Did You Miss Me? is a tale of love and heartbreak, told through a documentary lens with sections of more dramatised material, led by two actors and captured in a single flat. Henry (Tharun Chelley) is heartbroken after his ex (Alexandra Biggs) left him. But he’s regained some hope when she appears on his doorstep, though not for the reason he would have liked. She’s getting married and has been told by her partner to invite Henry to the wedding… Not quite the resurgence of love he wished for.
To start, the film has some wonderful opening credits which then lead into some establishing shots, before moving into the apartment where most of the drama takes place. Given the tight space, Rajab Mahmood’s direction ensures that the film keeps a consistent pace throughout and remains interesting, both in the writing and from a visual standpoint. The two performances are average at best and while likeable, not quite what I’d hoped from a bottle film. Romantic comedies are tricky to tackle, they’re so relatable and that makes it hard to bring a sense of familiarity and likeness to characters. Here they felt charming but lacked some emotional depth and could have used some more care.
Stylistically, Did You Miss Me? is a brilliant looking and sounding film. The shot selection is very nice considering the location being quite lived-in. Exteriors looking sharp, interior camerawork reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s filming style; though not executed quite as seamlessly. Some of the swivels need some smoothing out, but the style itself does bring a more light feel to the picture — As does the music by Jacob Maloney and Ross Baillie Eames which is lively with rhythmic charm, and settles down to a simmer as the film closes on its more dark, yet comical (?) note.
So there’s a mix of good and less appealing features, but if you take it how it is, a decent time can be had. Mahmood’s style, evidently borrowing from other filmmakers (that’s no crime, it’s all part of the process), is inviting and vibrant; it just required a little more from the writing to hold it in high regard. Did You Miss Me? offers up some freshness while treading down a well-ventured path, which in all fairness, is all it’s trying to do.
Watch the trailer for Did You Miss Me? below.
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