52 Tuesdays Review

Director: Sophie Hyde

Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Beau Travis Williams, Imogen Archer, Sam Althuizen.

Sophie Hyde's debut feature 52 Tuesdays has been the talk of the festivals in 2014, but it seemed like through out the year the UK was never going to see it again...but it's finally being released to us Brits, hurrah! But has it been worth the wait? Definitely. 

If you were not following the film festivals last year, 52 Tuesdays follows the story of Billie (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), who decides to start a video diary following the news that her mum Jane (Del Herbert-Jane) will start transitioning from female to male, and will now go by the name of James. Needing some time to deal with his new journey, James sends Billie away to her father Tom (Beau Travis Williams). The pair agree that they will meet up every Tuesday to catch up and spend some time together.

While the arc of the movie is kicked off by James' transition, Billie's story is the one we follow closely. Raised in an open house hold, Billie seems to be quite offended when she is last to discover her mum's transition, but nonetheless is still accepting. As the story goes on, we see that both are reluctant to address their feelings, and both go on a journey of self discoveries, with James finding himself with a new partner, and Billie confiding and exploring her own sexuality with two school friends. They still keep up their Tuesday meets (and yes, the film was also shot over a year on every Tuesday) but does their relationship struggle? You'll just have to watch to find out. 

Hyde's decision to keep her cast fresh faced could have fell flat on its face, but if anything it adds to the unique selling point of the film. Tilda Cobham-Hervey's performance could easily go down in the best coming of age characters in film, and the comparisons to Carey Mulligan and Jennifer Lawrence do have some weight behind them. Del Herbert-Jane, though not on screen as much, is incredible to watch as well, and by the sound of things, Del might have just got into acting by accident (Del Herbert-Jane was originally supposed to be a consultant on the film), and it's more than likely that Del's career will not go further than 52 Tuesdays, but we're glad that we got Del for this role. 

52 Tuesdays is coming of age story that will relate to all, and if it wasn't for Richard Linklater releasing a film spanning over 12 years, Hyde's directorial debut would have taken over the world last year. But with the world recently being introduced to Caitlyn Jenner, and trans* rights being on the forefront of LGBT community right now, it will definitely get a new lease of life.  Don't miss out in this heartbreaking, moving and incredibly raw film. 

52 Tuesdays is out in cinemas August 7th