Naturalistic performances mark writer-director Clio Barnard’s new film Ali & Ava. She crafts a gritty, working-class story born of pain.
Ali (Adeel Akhtar) is a Pakistani-British landlord who enjoys a strong relationship with his tenants in Bradford. He also loves his music with a heavier edge. After a tragedy in their lives, Ali and his Bangladeshi wife have fallen out, but he hasn’t told his family about their separation. They still live (temporarily) under the same roof. Irish-born Ava (Claire Rushbrook), too, has had a hard time of it. A grandmother, her former husband passed away less than a year ago. But they were separated because he treated her shamefully. She now works as a teacher’s aide, a job she enjoys.
A chance encounter in pouring rain sees Ali and Ava connect. Both are lonely. A friendship forms (music is a starting point – she likes country and folk, which he can’t fathom) … and then something more. But there are considerable problems ahead, as their liaison isn’t countenanced. Foremost in his disdain is Ava’s son Callum (Shaun Thomas). Callum’s father’s passing affected him deeply (mind you, he doesn’t know the full story) and he won’t entertain his mother being in a relationship with Ali.
Barnard’s story burns slowly, but is ultimately affecting. I found Ali & Ava took a long time to take off (the “reveals” are drip-fed) and engage me. Mind you, once it did, more than a half hour in, I was keen to go along for the ride. I also frequently struggled to understand the accents. I also found the scenes were often too dark. I desperately wanted the lighting to be turned up. Nevertheless, the film was good at establishing the respective characters’ decidedly different lifestyles and the impediments each faced. Part of the cleverness in, and power of, the film is Barnard’s ability to ensure through her writing and direction that we are cheering for this pair, even though we know they have serious obstacles to overcome.
The two leads are superb. Adeel Akhtar has an infectious personality. He is a bundle of energy inhabiting the character of Ali, a good guy, who – try as he has – can’t salvage his marriage. Claire Rushbrook readily channels the cautiousness that is understandably indicative of Ava, given her back story. Ava has suffered in silence for the sake of her children. The patience and virtue in Akthtar and Rushbrook’s performances sheet home Barnard’s riding instructions. Neither misses a beat.
So, ultimately, Ali & Ava is rewarding … if you’re prepared to stick with it. It won’t appeal to all, but will to serious cinephiles.
Alex First
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Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.