When Josh Joseph (David Smith) decides to go against his plans and things he’s worked hard for, he gets a surprise when he travels back home to Yorkshire, and reunites with an old friend.
Picture Credit: One Day Films
The synopsis
Directed by Erik Knudsen, True Calling follows UK government minister Josh on the eve of a pre-election debate, one that is critical to his career and the lives of those he represents.
Josh heads into the dark in the middle of the night, having a specific destination in mind; his internal crisis may turn out to be the cause of much confusion as he wonders if his career suits him anymore.
Josh heads to the Yorkshire hometown he left almost 20 years ago; once he arrives, he walks the streets he used to know well, and finds himself outside the home of a former friend...
Maddy (Eliza Marsland), who is to be married in two days’ time, is shocked when Josh turns up out of the blue; the pair wonder through the woods, talking about what was, what could have been, and what is to come.
So, what did I think?
Reading the plot for True Calling, I had an open mind as the themes of regret mixed with love and self-realisation were rather compelling; however, the film itself simply didn’t live up to the standards it set for itself.
The opening scene of a movie can arguably be the most important one, as it draws audiences in and wills the story onward; here, it consisted of a rather creepy conversation with Josh’s young son, and a rather hard-hitting question about why humans are on the planet.
As the film progressed, I was interested to see Josh in Yorkshire, after driving all night to get there from London. His mild optimism was somewhat endearing as he walked the streets he used to know, reminiscing about the man he used to be.
Josh then meets Maddy, who is on her way to a dress fitting ahead of her upcoming wedding; what follows is a conversation between two long-lost friends who clearly miss one another, but the chemistry was missing, unfortunately.
True Calling did do well at creating a history for the characters, as Maddy and Josh discuss friends from nearly two decades ago, things they did, and the people in their lives. The authentic feeling of a shared backstory was decent enough, and set the tone for a somewhat endearing movie.
Despite the pair’s shared connection to the past, what I found rather odd was how they both seemed to be looking directly at the camera, rather than at each other. I wasn’t sure if this was a fourth wall break to invite the audience to think about what is being said, or to suggest that the issues they were discussing (politics, world health, etc.) affects everyone.
Whatever the meaning behind this choice was, I felt that all it did was make me feel as though I was imposing on their conversation. Somehow, I felt like I shouldn’t be watching them as the actors kept staring into the camera, creating an almost uncomfortable atmosphere.
Furthermore, the dialogue wasn’t up to scratch. In some places, it did feel completely normal and natural, other times it felt rather forced and over-acted, making some scenes a little awkward.
Having said this, True Calling did raise some significant issues, such as global warming and events of politics, if only for a brief moment. Some sentences felt designed to get you thinking, which was a welcome aspect as I personally love films that challenge you to think.
Josh’s regrets about leaving Yorkshire, and Maddy, were apparent as soon as he stepped foot in front of her, and were carried through the entire movie. However, the fact he attempted to stop her wedding after not seeing her in 17 years felt a little villainous.
Josh had a strong sense of home, which was great to see as I myself am from Yorkshire, so it created a rather nice sense of inclusion. The woods in which he and Maddy walk through were stunning; simple and beautiful. The dense trees concealed them both, creating a bubble for the two.
The lack of music, while welcome in some films, felt a little odd to me in this one. I understand that it may have been to ground the feature, and stick to a sense of realism, but unfortunately this didn’t work for me. It felt like an awkward silence that needed to be filled with ambiance or something similar; which it never was.
True Calling seems to wish to challenge its viewers, and raise questions about the world, death, regret, and everything in between.
While I thought it clever for this movie to bring up these topics in such a strong manner, it left me feeling a little disappointed at the fact that nothing really came of it, other than Josh missing an interview and essentially ruining his career.
True Calling was a slow, steady journey of self-discovery, new aspirations, and regret. It challenges you to think, but sadly without meaning as nothing came of these conversations. It was an interesting and unique film, but unfortunately, it left me a little confused and unfulfilled.
True Calling will be in cinemas in September 24th, 2021.
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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