Taking it's cue from American indie films, Trampoline is the debut Irish feature from writer/director Tom Ryan (a full interview with Tom can be heard here). Taking a break from the usual genres most Irish features trade in, either heavy drama or horror, it's the simple story of Angie (Aoife Spratt), a young girl who returns to her hometown to start a new job as a teacher. But soon problems, both new and old, rear their heads, causing Angie to question what she wants out of life. Made on an extremely low budget (less than a thousand euros), it is a fantastic debut from the first time crew (the film was shot over six months, the production scheduled around their everyday jobs), sweet and gentle with a rich vein of charm running through it.
For the most part, Trampoline is completely character driven, most of the trials and tribulations coming directly from Angie. On the outside looking in, it may seem like extremely low stakes, but taking it from Angie's point of view, everything thing that happens is the end of the world. It's an easily relateable movie, capturing the frame of mind of most young people after college, thrust into the real world without having the proper tools and experience to get by. Being at the centre of the story, the movie rests on Spratt's shoulders and she carries it admirably. She is an extremely likable screen presence, and imbues Angie with a great deal of charm and humour, even at the times when you want to step into the screen and tell the girl to "cop on!!". She has a great supporting cast to compliment her, especially Audery Hamilton as Angie's best friend Kate, and Margaret Walshe as Angie's mother, their relationship providing some of the movie's more powerful scenes.
The story moves at it's own leisurely pace, really letting the audience inside the lives of these character, but never loses your attention. The script is full of sweet, funny moments that won't have you belly laughing, but will elicit a good old chuckle and will leave you with a smile on your face that won't fade that easily. The films natural look is another of its endearing qualities, shot using whatever light was available, be it sunlight, household lamps, or street lights. Every scene is framed very intimately, at times feeling like we are intruding on the characters.
A great example of what the combination of talent and determination can achieve, Trampoline is a charming little movie, having a story almost everybody can relate to at its core.
For the most part, Trampoline is completely character driven, most of the trials and tribulations coming directly from Angie. On the outside looking in, it may seem like extremely low stakes, but taking it from Angie's point of view, everything thing that happens is the end of the world. It's an easily relateable movie, capturing the frame of mind of most young people after college, thrust into the real world without having the proper tools and experience to get by. Being at the centre of the story, the movie rests on Spratt's shoulders and she carries it admirably. She is an extremely likable screen presence, and imbues Angie with a great deal of charm and humour, even at the times when you want to step into the screen and tell the girl to "cop on!!". She has a great supporting cast to compliment her, especially Audery Hamilton as Angie's best friend Kate, and Margaret Walshe as Angie's mother, their relationship providing some of the movie's more powerful scenes.
The story moves at it's own leisurely pace, really letting the audience inside the lives of these character, but never loses your attention. The script is full of sweet, funny moments that won't have you belly laughing, but will elicit a good old chuckle and will leave you with a smile on your face that won't fade that easily. The films natural look is another of its endearing qualities, shot using whatever light was available, be it sunlight, household lamps, or street lights. Every scene is framed very intimately, at times feeling like we are intruding on the characters.
A great example of what the combination of talent and determination can achieve, Trampoline is a charming little movie, having a story almost everybody can relate to at its core.
