Poison is a film that examines the relationship between a long-separated couple and their shared grief over the loss of a child. Premiering in Australia as part of the British Film Festival, the production marks the feature debut of Désirée Nosbusch.
The opening scenes promise much, carefully shot by cinematographer Judith Kaufmann, with particular striking images of a petrol station. Alas, from this point onward, the vision and action are confined to church buildings and their surroundings, where the couple meets to discuss the potential exhumation of their son’s grave.
The main roles are taken by English actor Tim Roth and Danish actress Trine Dyrholm, who play the ex-husband Lucas, and ex-wife Edith, respectively. The production feels more like a two-hander than a full cinematic experience. It’s no surprise to learn that the film is based on a play by the same writer, Lot Vekemans.
As the conversation unfolds, pain and bitterness begin to surface. It becomes clear that Edith has not moved on from her grief, while Lucas has remarried and is expecting a child. There are some well-written moments, but the script is choppy, with some glaring inconsistencies. For instance, when it’s clear that no one is coming from the church (a ruse by Edith?) a sense of tedium and claustrophobia set in. One begins to wonder why either character stays —or, for that matter, why the audience does.
Is it the script? The casting? The direction? The British-Danish pairing of the two leads simply doesn’t gel, although both actors deliver credible performances individually. This may be one of the reasons the film fails to resonate: there’s a total lack of onscreen chemistry.
This is a slow-moving piece that explores the suffocating nature of grief, or more specifically, grief as experienced by two individuals. It’s inoffensive, but strangely lacking in conviction and emotional power.
My Rating: A luke-warm coffee in the rain
The British Film Festival 2024 runs from Nov – Dec 8.
To book tickets to this or other films click https://britishfilmfestival.com.au/ for session and venue details.
This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.
