All That Glitters: Review. By Callum Ward.
I recently had the chance to watch the excellent short film, All That Glitters. From director Dan Bronzite, All That Glitters follows Margaret, a wealthy wife and mother from Chelsea who seems to have it all, and Eddie, a struggling teenager, who believes money equates to an easy life. After mugging Margaret, a chase leads to a car accident that entwines their lives. Eddie soon learns Margaret’s seemingly perfect world hides troubles that mirror his own traumatic past. The film features a stellar cast with Sophia Myles starring as Margaret Peterson, Mackenzie Proll as Eddie as well as Tillie Murray and Alec Newman as David and Sasha Peterson.
The concept of the film itself is one of the highlights, in my opinion, using its unique take on the body swap premise to subvert audience expectations and delve into a few powerful narratives such as domestic abuse and the impact it can have on children who both suffer from it and observe it as well as exploring class differences and underlying similarities. The juxtaposition of Eddie’s rough upbringing with Margaret’s seemingly idyllic life serves as a poignant reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that shared struggles often transcend societal divides.
Adding to this excellent premise are some equally excellent performances from the cast, with Sophia Myles, in particular, standing out. She delivers an incredible performance as Eddie trapped in Margaret’s body, expertly portraying his frantic confusion and vulnerability in the period after the swap and balancing this with a more nuanced growing sense of self-awareness and understanding as the film progresses. Mackenzie Proll, Alec Newman and Tillie Murray offer solid support throughout, but the narrative understandably remains focused on Margaret and further highlights Myles’ standout performance.
In addition to the interesting premise and strong performance, the cinematography and camera work are exceptional throughout, painting intimate scenes with care while capturing moments of urgency and chaos with palpable intensity, resulting in an impressive end product that feels on par with major Hollywood productions. This adds a layer of polish that enhances the viewing experience, a testament to both Bronzite and cinematographer, Simon Rowling. Complementing the film’s strong visuals and narrative is an excellent, melancholic score from composer Jean-Loup Pinson that underscores the emotional beats and builds suspense, further enhancing the viewing experience for the audience.
In conclusion, All That Glitters is a powerful and inventive film that uses its body swap premise to tell a deeply human story. With outstanding performances, stunning cinematography and a script that tackles complex themes with care, it offers a fresh take on identity, empathy and the hidden battles we all face and is absolutely worth a watch.
