Silver Haze
March 1st, 2024
MOVIE: SILVER HAZE
STARRING: VICKY KNIGHT, ESME CREED-MILES, ANGELA BRUCE
DIRECTED BY: SACHA POLAK
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 2 STARS (Out of 4)
The word “authenticity” is such a frustrating word. From a writing standpoint, it is an overused word, often the only word I can find to describe a movie when it just looks real. Sometimes a movie does that. Gives off a vibe that scenes were shot without permission or a kind of documentary-style look that makes the story elevate. Silver Haze is a frustrating movie because it looks quite authentic and yet the screenplay is a jumbled mess that gets in the way. On the surface, there is something to appreciate about Silver Haze. Underneath it’s a messy movie.
Written and directed by Sacha Polak, the story is partially based on the true life of lead actor Vicky Knight, playing the role of Franky. The time is fifteen years after she was horrifically burnt in a fire that occurred in the pub below her flat. Her father has never been in her life, her body is badly scarred, her mother is an alcoholic, and the friend of her mother’s who potentially started the fire has never been brought to justice. Life is messy, but when Florence (Esme Creed-Miles) enters the picture, Franky’s life is given an injection of love, only for things to turn upside down again.
When describing the plot for Silver Haze it is easy to see that the biggest problem is too much clutter. There is obviously the struggle for Franky which is the major focus, but within her pains is a new relationship, her sister who is converting to Islam, the history of the fire, a past relationship, her drunk mother, and then she even connects with Florence’s mother (Angela Bruce) and autistic brother. There is no throughline and a lack of focus on one problem at a time. When the relationship with Florence goes sour due to acts of violence, those matters seem to just fade away. Even with good performances or the connection to Franky’s community, Silver Haze struggles with a case of ADD.
The narrative struggles are sad because there is plenty of praise to give. The lead performance by Knight is impressive, as she is bravely telling her story, living with her arms with visible scars, but never letting it define her. Even the direction from Polak has that flare for setting and character, but when the story seems to be going one way, all momentum is halted, discussing new conflicts that derail the old conflict.
What is surrounding Silver Haze is potential. The majority of it is left on the table. It’s a film reminiscent of what you see from Steve McQueen, Ken Loach, or Mike Leigh, but lacking the focus of an auteur. If it succeeds at anything it has me interested to check out more of Polak’s films. But sadly Silver Haze is not the one that will make the rest of the world take notice. Everything else will just fade in the sun.
SILVER HAZE IS NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS AND IS AVAILABLE ON DEMAND MARCH 12TH, 2024.
2 STARS
Written by: Leo Brady
leo@amovieguy.com
