The Festival

A post-graduate (Joe Thomas) seeks to get over his recent heartbreak by attending a music festival, which inevitably leads him into a world of chaos, intoxication, and painful-looking piercings. The spirit of The Inbetweeners is very much present in this comedy of misfortune, possibly because director Iain Morris and producer Damon Beesley were behind that TV hit and its two big-screen spin-offs. Unsurprisingly, The Festival follows a similar format, revelling in the same brand of queasy humour, but despite the many visually uncomfortable moments, the film's depiction of the mud and misery of festival life will be relatable to many. Thomas doesn't deviate too far from his established TV persona as a likeable nitwit, but he has enough charm to draw sympathy, despite his reluctance to give in to the festival vibe. He also has game support in Hammed Animashaun as best friend Shane, and Emma Rigby as a mysterious reveller. Consistently funny with a reasonably sincere message at its core, The Festival offers the chance to vicariously experience (or even relive) the mistakes of summer.