16/10/2009

Rebellious, fallen, in love: there have been quite a few unorthodox angels in cinema. To that list we can now add Skellig [+see also:
trailer
film profile] (played by Tim Roth), the feathered creature of the title of British director’s Annabel Jankel new film.

Young Michael (Bill Milner, previously seen alongside Michael Caine in Is Anybody There? [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) finds him in the dilapidated garage of the equally rundown house to which he has just moved with his parents. In the beginning, he assumes Skelling is a drug addict with a weakness for double malt but will soon discover the true nature of the surly being, and his miracle-making powers.

Michael’s parents are battling with the heart problems of their newborn daughter, and thus fairy tale blends with family drama in this script adapted by Irena Brignul from the novel by David Almond. And the most openly fable-esque moments – the discovery of one’s wings, first flight – mix with the realism of Michael’s school life.

However, this union is not always successful. Despite some entertaining moments (the class singing lesson with Robbie Williams’ Angel) and numerous forays into fantasy archetypes, the overall workings are predictable. The limited special effects furthermore curb involvement from younger viewers used to much more sophisticated standards.

One would like to call Skelling a non-commonplace, classic coming-of-age tale (Michael will discover love and learn to not feel neglected). However, the goals of this film for young adults (as with most titles in the Alice in the City sidebar of the Rome International Film Festival) aren’t quite achieved, though there is some consolation in the fact that behind the camera is the same director (and CGI expert) who 16 years ago made the disastrous Super Mario Bros. She’s come a long way.

Produced by Feel Films, Skellig is handled worldwide by Velvet Octopus.

(Translated from Italian)