Charlie Blagg’s review of Turbulence

Turbulence is the 2011 Comedy, written by Stavros Pamballis and directed by BAFTA-award-winning filmmaker Michael B. Clifford. The film features a cast of youthful new faces and shows us some future talent to watch out for. As well as the film being shot in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham.

The film focusses its story around a “failing music venue staffed by fools looks set to close”. In a last-ditch effort, the venue’s manager Keith (Shay O'Driscoll) holds a Battle of the Bands competition in hope of saving his business and through these events we are introduced to the other members of the cast.

I thoroughly many moments throughout Turbulence. When first faced with characters such as the rapping transvestite Russell Shumway (Connor Mills) you can’t help but raise a brow. However, as the film continues in its way, you can’t help but fall in love with these, at times, unbelievable characters.

The chemistry between Adrian Banks (Lead shining of The Scholars) and Sophie Waller (Rosie Beaumont, the music venue’s new barmaid, and inspiring singer) was ponticular notice, as it was a treat whenever they were on screen together; creating one of my favorite scenes in the film.

The cinematography by Ed Moore whilst at time lent to better the story, but more than not left the film feeling flat. Relying very heavily upon shot reverse shot, with the occasional shot or farming that stood out in my mind.

Turbulence’s tone, however, can at times be jarring, not bad, jarring. The film lulls you into a false sense of security with its very traditional style of comedy, commonly found on daytime TV. To then only cut a much more mature tone found in something alike to Skins; such as the time where out of nowhere, we are suggested to a man we only met a couple sense ago, now fully naked and doing yoga. I don’t mean to be misconstrued, I found the sense extremely funny, however, it was this and several other sense I felt were conflicting with the more consistent tone that is found nearly throughout the rest of the film.

However, it is the film's music and sound that is reasonable for many of the film’s high lights. So often is the case in a film set around a fictional music act, that we as the audience are told how good the music is; when in actual fact, it’s simply not and this leaves me very happy to tell you this is not the instance in regard to Turbulence. I found the music thoroughly to be catchy and enjoyable, with the music enhancing numerous of the film’s moments.

I think Turbulence is a charming movie, that despite its few flaws is very much worth your time if you can find yourself a copy.