Cinema can often reflect our cultural and societal issues back at us from the big screen and in the latest drama from writer and director Jane Gull, we see the plight of a young married couple in post-lockdown Britain. Love Without Walls is a social-realist romance that follows singer-songwriter Paul (Niall McNamee) and his wife Sophie (Shana Swash) as they struggle to make ends meet in London. Down on their luck in the early stages of our current cost of living crisis, they leave their unpaid bills and final reminders behind to pursue an opportunity in Southend-on-Sea which might turn their ill fortunes around, but their dire situation goes from bad to worse.
Told with Loachian kitchen-sink sensibilities, this narrative is harrowing but has a hopefulness to it thanks to the unwavering love story at its heart. We first witness their hardship as the script explores the difficulties faced by creatives to achieve a steady income since the pandemic, and eventually sheds light on the country’s homelessness problem when the protagonists hit rock bottom. Their downfall develops slowly and their descent always feels authentic, illustrating how even decent, hardworking people can fall through the cracks of society when times are tough. Despite their mounting troubles, Paul and Sophie have an inspiring optimism when they’re together, and the playfulness and tenderness of their relationship adds a light touch to the otherwise bleak subject matter.
Reuniting with the filmmaker Gull after appearing in My Feral Heart back in 2016, Shana Swash delivers in this leading role. Some might remember her from a stint in EastEnders as a moody teenager, and her soap opera roots serve her very well in this emotionally nuanced performance. She shares the screen with the multi-talented Niall McNamee who excels in his first central turn. Not only does he act very well, portraying Paul’s diminishing can-do spirit with aplomb, but he provides the original songs for the soundtrack too. His charming acoustic music harmonises with the film’s picture-esque seaside aesthetic. Efficient and economic with its budget, Love Without Walls achieves an enduring positivity that shines through its British miserabilism.
Love Without Walls is now available on Digital Download and can be purchased HERE
Cinema Perspective 