Help (2021), Dir Marc Munden, All 4: 5*****: Matthew Alicoon

Help, 5*****

Channel 4

Available to stream on All 4

Running Time: 98 Minutes

Review: Matthew Alicoon, Friday 17th September 2021

Help follows a young carer (Jodie Comer) and how the care home she works for is turned upside down when the Covid-19 Pandemic hits in March 2020.

Help depicts the devastating events that occurred at the height of March. This is one of the most emotional and impactful viewing experiences of the year. Jack Thorne's powerful script is tragic yet an embodiment for how much the care homes were let down when the pandemic started. It is harrowing to see events play out during this film such as the lack of PPE and how low of a priority the care homes were. The ending (particularly the last line) does leave you thinking about the past, it was heart-breaking to think about.

The masterful one take shot in this was perfect, as it highlighted how urgency and time were such an important factor. It is a real character journey following Jodie Comer's and Stephen Graham's characters, as you become quite attached to them.

Jodie Comer and Stephen Graham demonstrated an acting masterclass. Their performances were superb and their on-screen dynamic was written perfectly. Jodie Comer portrays the desperation and rage so powerfully, arguably delivering a career-best performance. Stephen Graham did a cracking job as his character had Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease and this was played so simply yet so effectively and believably.

It is just appalling what care homes had to go through and Help demonstrates this so effectively. A highly moving and emotional drama that is one of the best films of the year. Help deserves every award nomination it can possibly get. A highly important film