A film that bypassed most of us but’s now finding a home on streaming, here’s our review of Lad: A Yorkshire Story.
This is a film that epitomises exactly why online streaming services are such a mixed blessing. Appearing on Amazon Prime allows this low budget indie to have a platform and be seen by a deservedly large audience – and yet it seems as if it’s just been left on its own to find its way to those viewers. Hopefully this review will do something to counter that and compel you to give it a try, because it’s really worth taking a chance on.
There’s an effortlessly timeless quality to proceedings as we follow teen Tom (Lord) when his life is turned upside down by the passing of his father. His older brother becomes even more distant, and their mum is stretched beyond capacity trying to keep the family afloat financially. After a sublime act of protest involving a tractor, Tom finds himself undertaking ten weeks of community service with Park Ranger Al (Gibson).
What follows is such a gentle film packed with so much heart, bitterly moving with its tender simplicity. The performances are naturalistic, raw in their emotion and honesty. Inspired by the real-life experiences of its writer-director, who had a mentor figure just like Al, the on-screen version is beautifully rendered and heartfelt.
Their story makes for an immensely realistic and believable drama that is so charming to watch and follow. Breathtakingly filmed on location, in picturesque villages in the Dales, the landscape almost becomes a character of its own.
The perfect film to watch during these times – gentle yet profound and oh-so lovely. You’ll find it hidden away on Amazon’s Prime Video service.
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