Here and Now

The first feature film from award-winning director Lisle Turner, Here and Now stars Lauren Johns (About Time) and Andy Rush (Wizards vs Aliens) as Grace and Say, two very different young people who form an unlikely bond when life throws them together.

Grace is an outwardly confident London girl. Speaking in East Ham street lingo that her parents can’t understand, she’s talkative and opinionated – the total opposite of quiet and thoughtful Say. The pair meet after Grace’s parents (Susan Lynch and William Nadylam) decide to rent a cottage in the remote Wye valley, in the hope of patching up their failing relationship. Initially horrified to be out-of-range for signal on her mobile phone, Grace is introduced by Say to a new way of looking at the world, and both soon find they have something to learn from one another as their relationship blossoms against the backdrop their troubled family lives.

Here and Now allows Johns and Rush to shine, demonstrating their talent as emerging actors, while Claire Coaché (1 Beach Road) is convincing as Say’s grieving hippie mother. Although the characters are well-developed there are a couple of scenes that seem a little too far-fetched, however in many ways these add to the film’s charm and magic.

The stunning rural landscape in which the film is set allows for some inspiring cutaway shots, and the narrative is complemented by an eclectic contemporary soundtrack scored by Jonny Pilcher, composer for the BAFTA-nominated documentary Mugabe and the White African.

Comparable with other popular teen dramas such as E4’s Skins, this film stands out for its subtlety, relying less on shock factor and far more on small details and poignant moments. Heartwarming and uplifting, Here and Now can be highly recommended to anyone looking for a thought-provoking story of young love.

Melanie Weaver

Here and Now is released nationwide on 4^th July 2014. 

Watch the trailer for Here and Now here: