Rent Save the Cinema (2022)

Disappointing Welsh-set farce, loosely based on a true story, far better suited to a TV drama format - Save the Cinema review by PV

Knowing Carmarthen, Wales, well, and already knowing the true story, I SO wanted to like this film. Unfortunately, it reminded me of the sort of feelgood schmaltzy British TV dramas (such as NATIVITY) shown around Christmas. Why and how this got funding to be a feature film, I do not know. It would have worked far better as a TV drama, on ITV, like FAT FRIENDS and other Sally Wainwright drama of that ilk.

This film comes complete with unnecessary and unfunny manbashing, plus a TOTALLY invented chauvinist ethnic mayor who did not exist - Carmarthen has a mayor a year and the one before Richard Goodridge who sent a fax to Spielberg was a white woman called Mrs Sarah Mary Lorraine Maynard. There have been mayors in Carmarthen since 15th C so to woke this up is a disgrace, to tick boxes, no doubt to satisfy Ffilm Wales pc woke funders.

As I say, I know Carmarthen well - it is almost 100% white now, (Wales is 95% white) so would be in 1993 (the black female character is another invention) and there would not be an Asian kid in Amdram in 1964 in Carmarthen either!

The film is a mildly amusing farce, full of rent-a-Welsh-actor casting. Veteran Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce stars in a predictable and no doubt invented character role, created to rub in the schmaltz juice. Mostly cartoon characters, I have to say.

Wynne Evans is also a DJ on BBc Radio Wales, every weekday morning! And the GoCompare ('Over there!) TV advert man.

I was annoyed by the 21st C Americanese language like 'Can I get a coffee?' NO-ONE said that in 1993 in the UK,. not London let alone Wales. And as for the Americanese subtitles which seem to think 'stationary' is what stationer sells. Very sloppy.

It passed the time. BUT it is about as much related to real life and what happened (though the lock thing at the end is true, no spoilers) as Jurassic Park has to Biology O level. 2.5 stars rounded up, mainly coz I recognise the locations in Carmarthen.

THIS is actually the (public domain) letter sent by fax in 1993 which borders on emotional blackmail, and this is left out of the film, and Mr S did not speak direct to anyone on the phone in real life: “Dear Mr Spielberg,” he began. "I have just been informed that your latest film Jurassic Park will not be seen here at the Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.“The Lyric Theatre has advertised extensively that the film is to be shown and indeed thousands now believe that the film will be shown here. However, many thousands are now going to be disappointed, not least to say, very angry that this has happened.

“People have postponed their holidays to see it. I am appealing to you to avert a crisis and look forward to an urgent response.”

There was NO direct phone conversation with Spielberg in person in real life, just with his people at Amblin.

ABJECT AND AWFUL - Save the Cinema review by SS

Switched off after ten very long minutes

Worst film I have seen in 50 years

Script terrible,performances leaden,cinematography awful.