The Spin Film Review

Star rating: 4/5

Writer: Mark McCauland and Colin Broderick

Director: Michael Head

Starring: Owen Colgan, Brenock O'Connor and Maura Higgins.

The Spin is a tender, heartfelt comedy; a love letter to friendship, music and to Ireland.

Ideated by Mark McCausland and written by Colin Broderick, this is a story of two 30 something Irish lads who work in a record shop that they are struggling to keep open. Elvis (Owen Colgan) and Dermot (Brenock O’Connor) rent the shop from a rouge landlady who they own rent to, and who as it happens wants them out. After a frustrating evening playing at a pub with little result, Dermot goes online and comes across a vintage record set on sale for little money but worth thousands. He tells Elvis, and they go on a road trip across Ireland to buy the set that could save their shop.

The director Michael Head’s clear vision of a very rooted story is fully expressed. The opening scene of Elvis and Dermot walking down a narrow country lane, and extreme wide shots of the Irish,  countryside. In a similar way, the love of and talent for music Ireland is known for shines through, not least in the record shop location which showcases brilliant set design. 'The Beatles were famously Irish', Dermot tells his friend as the walk down the lane, setting the comedic tone of this story. The record shop is a jewel of the High Street in the story, so much so that neighbours hilariously treat it as a one stop shop for everything. It is also a jewel for Dermot and Elvis, who though seemingly helpless, are willing to do anything to save the shop.

‘Kindness gives what kindness takes’, a nun, hugely memorable character, tells Dermot and Elvis when they give her a lift home in the middle of their road trip. This is in great part a story about kindness- that of friends as well as strangers. And when Dermot and Elvis get hold of the record collection they crossed Ireland to get hold of, kindness and the will to do the right thing takes centre stage.

The Spin is also a story about pursuing your dreams and being unapologetically yourself, while welcoming others to do the same around us. A lovely message, sent through wonderful performances by a well assembled cast, from a lovely film.

The Spin will be in UK Cinemas from 27th February.