We all wed ‘For better, or for worse’, but it’s the latter that really tests the strength of any marriage. And my goodness, the main characters in Jane Gull’s ‘Love Without Walls’ are forced to explore the kind of depths bound to try the bond of a relationship to the max.

Aspiring musician Paul, played by Niall McNamee (The Foreigner) and his wife Sophie, played by Shana Swash (My Feral Heart) endure setback after setback in a downward spiral, from barely getting by in London rented accommodation, to sofa (or spare room) surfing with friends or family, car sleeping and on to eventual homelessness in Southend. Think ‘Rain Dogs’ but without the seediness or wealthy ex’s.

A bleak portrayal of how a normal, good-intentioned, good-hearted couple might slip through the cracks in modern society when misfortune (and some of the untrustworthy characters found on the streets) conspire against them.

Other appearances come from Paul Barber (Only Fools & Horses, The Full Monty), Adam Deacon (Kidulthood), Sheila Reid (Benidorm, Brazil), Theo Ogundipe (Top Boy), Amy Molloy (Animals) and Ricci Harnett (28 Days Later).

If you’re after some feelgood, light, shallow and fluffy romcom – this ain’t it! In fact, it may make for uncomfortable watching from the viewpoint from our cosseted lives, but it’s honesty and grittiness make it that much more a valuable, worthy piece of cinema as a result. Bulldog Film Distributors point out that more than 70,000 households have been made homeless since the pandemic, with numbers continuing to rise at an alarming rate. They add “Whilst this is not a film about Covid-19, it is a film relevant to what we are going through as a society in the aftermath of the pandemic.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Love Without Walls has won ‘Best UK Feature’ at this year’s Manchester Film Festival as well as the London Independent Film Festival.

Love Without Walls. Photos: Strike Media

Occasional, shaky hand-held shots provide realism, while the music score is inventive, moving and powerful. Even Paul’s compositions are of the highest quality. No cheesiness here! Brilliantly executed.

Without giving plot spoilers, there are also some great back stories which add even more genuine tear-dabbing moments to this heart-wrenching tale.

But I don’t want to ruin the ending for you. All I can say is that you won’t want to miss it.

Love Without Walls, will be released in UK & Irish cinemas from 9th June

Love Without Walls is produced by Karen Newman, best known for Just Charlie, winner of the Audience Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and is directed and written by Jane Gull, director of My Feral Heart, the UK’s most successful OurScreen ‘cinema-on-demand’ film of all time. Screen International’s ‘Screen Star of Tomorrow’ 2022, Susanne Salavati, is the film’s Cinematographer, whilst Ben Cogan, formerly casting at BBC Continuing Drama, is Casting Director.

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