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The film's lead actors, Samuel Bottomley and Callum Scott Howells, deliver powerful performances that will leave audiences emotional and introspective. Bottomley, known for his breakout role in California Schemin', brings his signature charm and charisma to the role of Frankie, a boisterous tearaway who impulsively breaks his terminally ill friend Taylor out of hospice care for one final night of fun and debauchery. Howells, who shot to fame with his breakout role in It's a Sin, brings a depth and nuance to the role of Taylor, a young man struggling to come to terms with his own mortality.
Background & Context
The State of Us is a labor of love for its creators, Ollie Gardner and Jake Harvey, who first met at university before pursuing careers in the arts. Gardner went on to become a successful theater director, while Harvey worked in television. The film is loosely based on Harvey's own childhood friendship group, in particular a friend called Jake Andrews, who died from cancer at the age of 18. Gardner and Harvey's collaboration on this film marks their feature-length debut, and it's clear that they've poured their hearts and souls into this project.The film's themes of male friendship and mortality are timely and relatable, and Gardner and Harvey hope that their film will spark a conversation about the complexities of masculinity. "We really want to dig into it because it's such an incredibly complex and complicated theme," Gardner explained in an interview. "I think it'd be quite nice for young men to see this film and see themselves in it from a perspective of, 'Oh I can joke around and I know where the line is, but I also can really tap into the love that I feel for those male friendships.'"
Key Details
The State of Us is a poignant and unflinching portrayal of male friendship and the complexities of mortality. The film follows Frankie (Bottomley) and Taylor (Howells) as they embark on a night of hedonism and debauchery, but what promises to be a night of fun quickly becomes something much more complicated. Alongside Bottomley and Howells, the film features a talented ensemble cast, including Frances Barber, Safia Oakley-Green, Seamus O'Hara, and Duggal Ram.Gardner and Harvey's vision for the film is clear: they want to create a film that is both accessible and thought-provoking. "I think there's a version of our film which was probably a bit more arthouse, a bit more serious, and more lends itself to that contemporary British type of independent cinema," Harvey explained. "But actually, [we're] trying to do something that feels accessible. It's got its jokes and it's dark humor, [and we hope] that it could actually reach the audience that it needs to speak to."
What Experts Say
The State of Us is a timely and relatable film that tackles some of the most complex and sensitive themes of our time. "I've been very proud of everything we've done in 2024 [and] 2025... But this one, I think, is really kind of surpassing expectations," said Paul Ridd, festival director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. "I think it's our greatest competition slate since we rebooted the event three years ago."Key Takeaways
* The State of Us is a poignant and unflinching portrayal of male friendship and the complexities of mortality. * The film follows Frankie (Bottomley) and Taylor (Howells) as they embark on a night of hedonism and debauchery, but what promises to be a night of fun quickly becomes something much more complicated. * The film is loosely based on Harvey's own childhood friendship group, in particular a friend called Jake Andrews, who died from cancer at the age of 18. * Gardner and Harvey hope that their film will spark a conversation about the complexities of masculinity and male friendship.What This Means For You
The State of Us is a film that will leave you emotional and introspective. It's a powerful portrayal of male friendship and the complexities of mortality, and it's a must-see for anyone who's ever struggled to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. So, if you're heading to the Edinburgh International Film Festival this weekend, make sure to catch The State of Us – it's a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.And if you're not heading to the festival, don't worry – you can still experience the film's emotional and thought-provoking portrayal of male friendship and mortality. The State of Us is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think, and it's a must-see for anyone who's ever struggled to come to terms with the complexities of mortality.
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