This is a complex, dark black comedy that genuinely subverts the watcher's expectation and surprises us with the direction it takes. This short picture deals with numerous themes such as growth, decay and death, childhood innocence, friendship.
All the actor's performances are truly remarkable, especially Joe Reynold's given his young age. There is no shortage of witty dialogue; with hilarious one-liners from the cranky old man, Norman, and the quips between the two young and old characters.
The music is incredibly fitting and evocative. Upbeat for the opening, low pitched in some scenes with Norman that exaggerates his melancholy and builds tension in all the right places. It is clear a great deal of effort has been dedicated to this and to even the most minute details - the title and opening credits that appear as a child's handwriting with small drawings of different vegetables.
This piece conveys the dark side in Joe Reynold's character, Sam and his deep yearning to acquire an allotment that, perhaps, can account for his prompt willingness to purposely give the old man a fatal overdose. However, he is not malicious, but he genuinely believes that Norman wants to die and due to his young age, he cannot understand why Norman would say he wants to die if he does not mean it. The one negative I have is that Sam's motivation can be a little unclear at times. It can be misconstrued as to exactly why he takes it upon himself to 'fix' Brian Cox's character Norman's supposed death wish. As an intelligent young boy, shown by his extensive knowledge on plants, his rash decision to essentially murder the old man after reading only one book on death, spurred by his desire for an allotment can seem somewhat improbable, unconvincing and quite shocking. Especially since his mother explained the severity of overdoses to him, it seems too blasé. Nonetheless, the film does a great job of reconstructing a child's naïve view of the world with hilarious consequences.
Killing Thyme was a pleasure to watch. It is thought-provoking and jam-packed with entertainment. It is a treat for the whole family to enjoy with its feel-good ending that cements a rather paternal friendship of Sam and Norman.
All the actor's performances are truly remarkable, especially Joe Reynold's given his young age. There is no shortage of witty dialogue; with hilarious one-liners from the cranky old man, Norman, and the quips between the two young and old characters.
The music is incredibly fitting and evocative. Upbeat for the opening, low pitched in some scenes with Norman that exaggerates his melancholy and builds tension in all the right places. It is clear a great deal of effort has been dedicated to this and to even the most minute details - the title and opening credits that appear as a child's handwriting with small drawings of different vegetables.
This piece conveys the dark side in Joe Reynold's character, Sam and his deep yearning to acquire an allotment that, perhaps, can account for his prompt willingness to purposely give the old man a fatal overdose. However, he is not malicious, but he genuinely believes that Norman wants to die and due to his young age, he cannot understand why Norman would say he wants to die if he does not mean it. The one negative I have is that Sam's motivation can be a little unclear at times. It can be misconstrued as to exactly why he takes it upon himself to 'fix' Brian Cox's character Norman's supposed death wish. As an intelligent young boy, shown by his extensive knowledge on plants, his rash decision to essentially murder the old man after reading only one book on death, spurred by his desire for an allotment can seem somewhat improbable, unconvincing and quite shocking. Especially since his mother explained the severity of overdoses to him, it seems too blasé. Nonetheless, the film does a great job of reconstructing a child's naïve view of the world with hilarious consequences.
Killing Thyme was a pleasure to watch. It is thought-provoking and jam-packed with entertainment. It is a treat for the whole family to enjoy with its feel-good ending that cements a rather paternal friendship of Sam and Norman.