Destination: Dewsbury (2018)

Director: Jack Spring

Writers:  David J. Keogh, Jonathan Marks, Aaron Nelson, Aaron Nelson, Jack Spring, John Spring

Stars: Anna Dawson, Richard Hazlehurst Mason, Filip Mayer, David J. Keogh, Velton Lishke

A classic British road trip movie, which follows five inseparable friends, who back in the 80’s cause ruckus in their schooldays. Twenty years on and they’ve got jobs they don’t want, and wives who don’t want them. The leader of the gang, Frankie, is now dying in Yorkshire. The others find out and get together for one last sad, mad, bad road trip to Dewsbury, before it’s all too late.

Destination: Dewsbury is an impressive first feature from director Jack Spring, who despite being only 19 at the time of filming has shown an impressive maturity dealing with the subject matter – taking a familiar road movie scenario in which he has added his own unique spin. Delivered with a typically British humour, it is a coming of age drama that is reflective of The Inbetweeners (2011) for the middle-aged generation.  

Despite some of the more film more series themes the film manages to maintain the balance between the humour and the films over overarching drama. It does include some laddish and toilet style humour, literally, however it is the unexpected turn of events and the reaction of the group that creates some genuinely surprising laugh out loud moments. One of the most surprising moments occur when the group are forced to take an unplanned stop off at a hotel called Nip and Slip, which they soon discover offers more than just a great night sleep.

Whilst the comedy keeps the film moving, it is the drama which remains at the heart of the film and connects you to the characters, who have despite growing apart over the years in some ways have not grown up. Brought together again by the news of their dying school friend, the friendships of their adolescent past is renewed brilliantly throughout the story. This creates some great moments as they begin to work together, although the stand out scene for me occurs when they begin to reminisce about their past whilst sitting around an open fire, in a genuinely moving.

The performances from the group are excellent, Tom Gilling as Smithy and Dan Shelton as Gaz, providing the film with plenty of laughs, whilst you are also empathising with the plight of their individual situations. The same however cannot be said for David J. Keogh’s character Adam, whose obnoxious self-centred attitude makes him initially dis-likeable. It is however Matt Sheahan who really stands out in the group as Peter, a man who following a series of events begins to see his life slowly starting to fall apart. Matt delivers a brilliantly funny slapstick performance, with his on-edge persona working perfectly with some of the situations he unfortunately finds himself in. Whether it be a mishap in the toilets or an unexpected visitor, it is his reactions that make it work so well.

The film also includes a brief but memorable cameo from Kevin Dewsbury as the eccentric Facebook stalker Neville. He may only have a few brief moments on screen, but he did make me laugh whenever he was on screen and we all know someone from school who would fit his description.

Although the film works for the most part with the drama and comedy, there are a few areas where it doesn’t quite hit the mark, includes a sub plot involving Russian gangsters who are trying to chase down a dept. It feels as though it was used to add a change of pace of the story, incorporating some additional action and comical tension – even though you never really feel that the character are in danger. I can see why it was added, but it never really feels connected to the main story and I don’t think it was necessary.

Despite his age at the time of writing and directing, Jack Spring showed a real maturity with his first feature Destination: Dewsbury and manages to create something original in his execution. There were a few areas where it didn’t quite work, but there was definitely enough here to make it worth watching, with some genuine laugh out loud moments and effective drama throughout. Jack is a talented young filmmaker who has shown a lot of potential and I am looking forward to seeing what he does next, as I am sure we will be seeing a lot more from him in the future.

The film will release on-demand and on all digital platforms on April 9th.

Philip Rogers

Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!