Winterlong

A teenage boy gets to bond with the ne'er-do-well dad he's never met in this British indie offering, a writing and directing feature debut from veteran TV writer David Jackson (Holby City, The Bill). Irish actor Francis Magee certainly convinces as middle-aged rebel Francis, who's happily living off-grid on the outskirts of Hastings, until he finds himself sharing his portacabin with fifteen-year-old Julian (played by Harper Jackson, the director's son), who's been abandoned by his mum as she seeks romance anew. It's the first time man and boy have spent any time together, but they try to make the best of it, encouraged by the old lad's rock-chick main squeeze Carole (Carole Weyers). There's a story here about dysfunctional masculinity, inherited bad habits, and the possibility for change, but the film doesn't make the best of its material, skittering between credibility issues and melodramatic contrivance. Character stalwart Magee is watchable throughout, though sadly, Jackson junior's lifeless supporting turn is a liability - it's hard to get anywhere with a family drama when you simply don't believe in the central relationship.