Skeletons
Directed and written by Nick Whitfield
UK, 2009
Cornerhouse, 12 July 2010
Only an English imagination could dream up such a fantastic film as this.
Nick Whitfield’s film follows the fortunes of a couple of dodgy peripatetic, paranormal types whose job is to expunge skeletons from people’s closets, both literal and – you know – metaphorical. A messy affair usually, as it turns out, but someone’s got to do it.
There’s a kinship to Wells, Chesterton, de la Mare and the rest of the classic English fabulists. And it could be that Whitfield and certain contemporary ‘slipstream’ fiction-makers (I’m thinking in particular of Tim Nickels, undiscovered genius) share a common gene or possess the same blood group. Whatever the reason, this is a wonderfully creepy comedy with a genuine heart. And the two leads, Ed Gaughan and Andrew Buckley, are terrific.
Skeletons is showing again at the Cornerhouse from 17-19 August, when it goes on general release. Details here.
