The Souvenir is an utterly riveting tale about gaslighting, abuse and compassion
IN direct comparison with Taylor-Johnson’s Hollywood version of addiction, we have Joanna Hogg’s slow burning, curious and soul-wrenching take on largely the same issues.
But it has one crucial difference – intelligence and believability.
We’re in the 80s and Julie (Honor Swinton Byrne) is a young, privileged film student living in Knightsbridge thanks to her rich parents (played by her actual mum Tilda).
When her flatmates move out, she strikes up a relationship with Anthony (Tom Burke) – a posh fop who works at the Foreign Office, keen on chipping away at her character in almost imperceptible ways.
And so it continues for a while, her studies taking a backseat to impulsive trips abroad (paid for by a constant stream of loans from mum), racy underwear and many instances of “Can I borrow a tenner?” before nipping out for the evening.
As you wonder about the toxicity of the relationship, a brilliant cameo from Richard Ayodae reveals the true nature of Anthony’s issues.
Once the seal has been broken and we know what we’re dealing with, the film is utterly riveting.
Tom Burke plays Anthony with a crucial balance of selfishness and helplessness and what begins as a precautionary tale of gaslighting and abuse, unravels into one of compassion.
That writer and Director Joanna Hogg’s unashamed portrayal of someone young, solvent living off her parents in the poshest part of the country still feels relatable is testament to the delicacy with which the subject matter is treated.
A really, really good film that is still scratching away at me, some weeks later.