THE MORE YOU IGNORE ME

After the events with the weatherman and the roof, the film jumps into the mid-80s, and life for Alice and Keith is not exactly what you would call "normal". Keith acts as Gina's full-time nurse, and in true Mark Addy style, he brings genuine care and smiles to every day. This is certainly not the way he thought his marriage was going to pan out, but he loves his wife and will be there for her no matter what - even when she starts throwing toast around the house. For Alice, she is a teenager trying to juggle school, boys, a heavily medicated mother, and a waning sense of identity. That is, of course, until she discovers Morrissey and The Smiths, whose Brit Rock sounds and poetic lyrics have an immediate and life-changing effect on Alice. Think Springsteen's lyrics in 'Blinded By The Light', only substantially more subtle.

Fans of Morrissey will notice and appreciate all the Easter eggs and references woven throughout the film, although I must admit they mostly flew past me - the title of the film included. Nonetheless, the part they play in shaping Alice and her happiness is clear - and what's more, the role Morrissey plays in the plot means that knowing his discography is no prerequisite to enjoy the ride, although those who do will probably appreciate it more.

'The More You Ignore Me' isn't quite the film it's trying to be. Brand is a wonderful writer and a very funny comic, and while this film has piqued my interest in reading the novel, I feel that's where this tale is best suited. My main issue with this feature is that it seems to lose its way a little bit, where even the favourable run time could have done with some trimming. The third act sees a mini-road trip and a chase, but it really feels clumsy and unwarranted. This film works best when focusing on the characters, so it certainly never needed to leave Blackpool, nor introduce more hurdles for the family. Likewise, when it comes to the characters, you get the feeling that Brand isn't as confident with screenwriting, often losing focus on whose story she's trying to tell. When there isn't a singular voice behind the drama, it can result in missing the required sympathetic punches. Too often, 'The More You Ignore Me' confuses alternate points of view on the same subject with different stories around the subject.

Hunt plays the daughter really well, and Brand's script gives her plenty to work with, especially when the frustration and angst of her mother's situation weighs down on her. I will watch her career grow with great interest because she has a great command of the screen, and I look forward to seeing what she does next. She's not alone in the film's great performances, with Addy providing wonderful heart and charm, and Phillips adding great support as a mostly unprofessional yet sweet doctor. Smith too is excellent as the mum, given the very difficult task of finding slapstick comedy within the confines of an illness. That being said, this film would have been better suited by focusing on Alice, cutting all the external noise which proves not so much distracting as uneven or misjudged.

There are certainly moments of utter devastation, and the film generally balances the contrasting emotions well - except for when it doesn't. It should never feel uncomfortable to have a laugh, but sometimes I really felt like I didn't want to express that out loud, and would much have preferred to let the emotional beats breathe. Everyone wants to find happiness, and 'The More You Ignore Me' aims to show that not only does happiness come in many different forms, but that sometimes the greatest joys can stem from the greatest challenges. There are oddities in how this film showcases mending a family and building a bridge to happiness, but some of that quirkiness finds its way into the viewer's heart. People and family fit together in all sorts of strange ways, and the warmth that you feel along that journey is where the heart of this film is unearthed.

'The More You Ignore Me' is the story of survival, but it's the joys within that where one can stumble upon their recipe for happiness. It is not the same for everyone, and people will ultimately search for it in any way they can, but at the end of the day, it's up to us to find the humour within the darkest times. There are many flaws in this film, and once it loses it's footing it struggles to get the momentum back - but if ever there was a film's message so deeply needed in 2020, it might be this one.

Thoughtful when it wants to be, heartfelt when it needs to be, and funny when it can be, 'The More You Ignore Me' is sure to leave a smile on your face, and maybe even a tear in your eye.