Cheap Forgive And Forget (DVD) (Aisling Walsh) Price

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Customer Reviews of Forgive And Forget

Questionable motives undermine classy drama
The life of young, working-class David (Steve John Shepherd) is thrown into turmoil when his best friend Theo (John Simm) - with whom David is secretly in love - sets up home with art student Hannah (Laura Fraser), sidelining David, perhaps forever. David's subsequent attempts to disrupt Theo's relationship with Hannah and come to terms with his own sexuality has far-reaching, potentially devastating consequences...

Aisling Walsh's British telefilm "Forgive and Forget" (1999) - which takes its title from a cringe-making TV confessional show that figures largely throughout the film - examines the theme of a strong relationship threatened by an outsider, and is set against the backdrop of London's ultra-macho building trade, an aspect which dispels the possibility of gay stereotyping whilst simultaneously turning the dramatic screws for the central characters. But our sympathies for David - consolidated in a heart-wrenching scene when Theo asks him: "How do you tell someone you love them?", blithely unaware of David's feelings, and oblivious to the turmoil which such a question might provoke - are neatly challenged by his selfish betrayal of Theo's romance with Hannah. How the viewer reacts to the complex ambiguity of the closing sequence depends on how far you're prepared to 'forgive and forget' David's blind, reckless stupidity.

Walsh and writer Mark Burt provide an audio commentary on TLA Releasing's 'special edition' DVD, and it soon becomes obvious they intended the movie for a predominantly straight audience. David's sexuality is never explored in any great detail and is used as little more than a device to facilitate the drama, though some gay viewers may find this matter-of-fact approach unusually refreshing. But while director and author provide a detailed analysis of the creative decisions which affected the outcome of individual sequences - the use of locations, color schemes, etc. - they make no attempt to engage with the brief controversy which blew up (in the UK, at least) over the film's ending. Were they even aware that some gay viewers were bitterly divided between those who thought the film simply explored the consequences of betrayal, and those who believed the climax was profoundly homophobic? Viewers are urged to see the movie and decide for themselves.

Though hidebound by the usual TV restrictions, the film's modest production values are thoroughly professional throughout, while Walsh's unobtrusive direction and Kevin Rowley's discreet camerawork allows a superb cast of familiar British actors - including Maurice Roeves and Ger Ryan (the latter went on to feature in the UK version of "Queer as Folk") - to illustrate those small, distinctive characteristics which define the Common Man (and Woman). But the film is anchored by Simm and Shepherd, both veterans of quality TV drama, and widely recognized as two of the finest actors of their generation. Here, they're quietly impressive as close friends who are ultimately divided by their separate needs, and they're given fine support by Laura Fraser as the hapless object of their concerns.

Though intended for television, "Forgive and Forget" has played theatrically in venues all over the world, mostly in festival slots. TLA Releasing's excellent DVD was derived from a PAL TV print running 95m 40s (99m 39s at 24fps), and is presented anamorphically at 1.78:1. Picture quality is flawless. The 2.0 surround track isn't terribly adventurous, but that's just the nature of the material, and the DVD includes a few TV spots and biographies which provide a brief introduction to the film and its principal players. Viewers are advised that a number of Paul Weller songs which featured in the soundtrack of the original UK print have been replaced here with instrumental music for copyright reasons, though this important bit of info isn't mentioned anywhere on the packaging (in fact, the alterations don't become apparent until they're mentioned in the commentary!). There are no captions, and the disc is coded for all regions, despite the region 1 symbol prominently displayed on the back cover.

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Enjoyable
This British, made for TV film starring (the gorgeous) Steve John Shepherd, is well acted and interesting in that the gay character is very straight acting (which is a nice change) and deals with the love he has for his best friend and his inability to deal with his (secret) homosexuality.
This film was enjoyable for the most part, but I was very disappointed with the best friends reaction to his coming out) which was very extreme and negative (though the way it was done was extreme in itself).
I would have liked to seen a more positive result, one that would send a positive message.

The inclusion of the day-time chat show (which comes on throughout the film and plays a larger part towards the end) was annoying and I thought completely unnecessary.

I feel I should mention the soundtrack.
It was absolutely AWFUL. The songs were covers of well known British artists (Lighthouse Family / Paul Weller), but sung by someone who simply cannot sing?????? They obviously couldnt get clearance or couldn't afford the original artists, and it was very distracting to me.

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Why?
This is surely one of the nastiest little films ever made. It is a waste of a handsome young actor, John Shepherd, who plays a very troubled and closeted construction worker, David. He is secretly in love with his best friend, Theo, and his covert problems multiply when Theo moves in with a girlfriend. David can't handle the competition for Theo's affection, and goes overboard in trying to undermine their relationship. He decides to come out to his parents, and tell Theo of his love, on a national TV-show! This unfortunate plan, needless to say, backfires. David's ghastly father pronounces him sick and summarily kicks him out of the house. His now ex-friend Theo is angry at being manipulated, and shows David just how much so by beating him with a lead pipe! It turns out that he and his girlfriend were a perfect match afterall: they are equally unpleasant. They walk off into the sunset together, but not before they look back at poor, bleeding David with a mixture of pity and loathing. The perfect ending for a mean-spirited film that TLA should be ashamed to have produced.