Melodrive is a simple film about a man facing the consequences of his actions while coming to terms with family issues that he’s been avoiding for a long time. For a film with a low budget, it is made really rather well and has moments that are filled with charm and emotion. It also has characters that feel so real. Their interactions are all kinds of interactions I’ve experienced in the real world, and that helps to make the film more relatable. 

Before I get into the performances etc. I need to say just how much I enjoyed the soundtrack. The music was composed by the director, Oscar Wenman-Hyde, and it’s catchy all the way through. The actors that perform the songs make them come alive, and I found myself wanting to sing along, even though I did not know the words. That’s always a good sign I think. As for the performances, they like the film, which is simple but effective. The characters are all believable and relatable, and it wouldn’t feel out of place to bump into any one of them in the right places on a day-to-day basis. 

A few times through the film the main character, Ethan played by Matt Wake, says that he’s not a good person. As I was watching the film I honestly found it hard to disagree with him. He cheated on his wife, seemed to gaslight his old girlfriend and was less than pleasant with his mother. Yet despite that, he did have some charms. My overall impression of the character wasn’t a good one, but that is entirely down to the performance of Wake which was very good. 

Overall, as I said, this is a simple production of a story we might all recognise on one level or another. After all, we’ve all faced family issues and relationship troubles at some point. I don’t like Ethan, but I think that’s kind of the point. If you’re looking for a film with charm, emotional depth and the occasional well-deserved punch in the face I think you’ll like this. It’s getting a 3.5/5 from me. 

Melodrive from M and M Film Productions and is produced by Monika Gergelova and Malcolm Winter alongside Director Oscar Wenman-Hyde. Arriving on hard copy and streaming platforms on the 14th of February 2025.

A Film with Charm and Emotional Depth

Movie title: Melodrive (2025)

Movie description: After separating from his wife due to an emotional affair, a homeward bound musician goes on a road trip, but after bumping into his high school sweetheart, his feelings become even more off balance.

Date published: February 1, 2025

Country: UK

Duration: 1h 28m

Director(s): Oscar Wenman-Hyde

Actor(s): Chrissie Wunna, Mark Arnold, Michelle Collins

Genre: Drama, Music, Musical

3.5

Summary

If you’re looking for a film with charm, emotional depth and the occasional well-deserved punch in the face I think you’ll like this.

• Motion Picture Soundtrack

Simon Henderson

Simon Henderson began his journey with his podcast, Inspire Indie Radio, set up to promote independent, and unsigned, artists and help get their music out to other audiences. This is a big passion of his and something he is very proud to do.

One of his other big passions is movies and he followed up the podcast with movie reviews “from the mind of an average guy” on Tumblr. After a while he wanted to bring everything together under one name and so he chose Average Guy Entertainments because, as he is oft quoted as saying, “I’m just an Average Guy.”