By The Light of the Sun

By The Light of the Sun 

Director: Andy Harrison

Written By: Andy Harrison and Lewis Simpson 

Starring: Nigel Moran, Lewis Simpson, Ryan Murphy 

Country: UK

Year: 2012

 By The Light of the Sun is the début feature from young film-maker Andy Harrison, aged just seventeen. Harrison co-wrote the screenplay with friend and actor, Lewis Simpson.     

A band of idiosyncratic characters lead this surprisingly funny film that seems to span every genre. 

The film begins with Mark Lester (Nigel Moran), an adviser at Alcoholics Anonymous, being fired by his boss, played brilliantly and energetically in a small role from Peter Ravenscroft. He struggles to put his frustration behind him as he makes his way to a stag party with his possibly psychopathic best friend, Jakey-O (Lewis Simpson). Along the way they meet an animalistic cult, a backpacker whose really good at making tea and the well groomed detective, Sean Connery. 

There also a very memorable performance from Ryan Murphy as a drug addicted investigator (who doesn't seem to do much investigating). A performance that channels both Christopher Walken and Al Pacino. 

The direction in By The Light of the Sun is outstanding, including a masterful use of stedicam. Surprise and jealously are two of the emotions one might feel when you see that someone of such a young age has such blatant talent.           

In some technical aspects the film stands above it's station, bordering on professional.  But at the same time it's still just an amateur movie about people being chased by a knife wielding chicken in the woods, something that's abundant on the YouTube. This makes for an interesting combination.  There's something refreshing and joyful about seeing a film that is both well made and made just for fun. 

I do have my reservations, I'm not sure some of the song choices worked in the scenes they were placed over. The film also requires complete audience attention, if you're not taking note of all the characters' names you might find yourself confused by the ending. And I'm also still not sure how all the stories place together.  

If you're lucky enough to get the opportunity to see By The Light of the Sun, I highly recommend you take it, for the sake of ninety minutes of pure entertainment if nothing else. 

To all involved, Bravo.