The Ballad of Billy McCrae
Not the most thrilling British thriller starring David Hayman
The Ballad of Billy McCrae is a slow burn thriller about Chris Blythe (Ian Virgo) returning to his hometown in Wales following the collapse of his business in Canada.
Filmed in Port Talbot, Bristol, this is a quintessentially British thriller with all the rough edges you would expect from a British production.
The film opens with an artistic shot of Chris Blythe, which makes way for footage of him hitch-hiking home to see his parents. We learn that Chris is destitute, after a failed business venture, and has come back to the UK to start again.
He goes to work in a Quarry for the namesake of the film, Billy McCrae (David Hayman) and Billy’s abrasive character is revealed in a realistic scrappy fight. Elen (Sianad Gregory), who Chris later involves himself with, is introduced at this point and she also drives this films plot.
The watchword for this film is realism. The scenes are sparse, the fights believable and the scenes have none of the Hollywood gloss we have come to expect from US thrillers.
The sparse nature of the footage makes this film more believable, but some of the plot twists are a little too convenient and the characterisations, while good, are occasionally underacted–particularly by Ian Virgo.
This is not the most thrilling of thrillers, but it is compelling and the ending is brilliantly unexpected.
The cinematography is possibly the films strongest feature, with beautiful backdrops and very inventive artistic shots.
If you go in with no expectations you will probably enjoy this film, so it is best not over hyped. It is not a must see, but it is quite enjoyable. Just don’t expect a glossy American production.
The Ballad of Billy McCrae will be in UK Cinemas from 24th September.
