No. 16 (2021) LONG STORY SHORT February 24th.

Film No 16 (2021)  February  24th.  10:00 AM  EVENT CINEMAS Galleria ,  Morley.

"I've always done things backwards. I kissed you and then I met you" (Teddy relates his experiences, only he can relate to, justifying his next steps in life to Leanne).

There are a number of references to Groundhog Day in Long Story Short but this likeable concept film needn't have bothered, it stands up by itself. LSS is a romcom written and directed by talented Aussie Josh Lawson who impressed with The Little Death (2014). Acting has been his bread and butter since the late seventies; I hope he continues to take the challenges that the other side of the camera offers.

Our hero, Teddy (Rafe Spall), procrastinates about life in general. He needs to be taught a life lesson about commitment. Meeting "time-lord", mysterious Noni Hazlehurst in a cemetery, hitching to his life partner Leanne (Zarah Newman), and then finding time is disintegrating, literally (Groundhog Day style with a twist) has us rooting for him to get his act together.   

Spall and Newman carry the heaviest load here. Newman is particularly likable while Spall does his frustrating best to come to grips with the past year  and all that has happened without his knowledge ... even though he was there, he has no idea what happened. To describe the film's plot step by step detracts from the mystery of this cinematic adventure.   

The key to a pleasant rom-com is that we believe in the  players. They end up together because it makes sense and we like them. The script gives us a laugh or two along the way and the conclusion gives us a warm fuzzy feeling. Long Story Short ticks these boxes although the rushed conclusion could have been polished some. The predictable nature of the ending is not in question, the execution is. I love a film that appears in cinemas without fanfare, delivers entertainment simply and with  something to think about. Long Story Short will be enjoyed by many on streaming networks within weeks. 9GUMS.