‘Mister John’, the second feature from Irish husband-and-wife directors, Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy, is an honest and frank drama. Aidan Gillen (best known from TVs ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘The Wire’) plays Gerry, a man who has all but given up on his marriage after discovering his wife is cheating on him. Then the sudden death of his brother in Singapore, where he owned a grotty bar and lived with his wife and child, gives Gerry the opportunity to escape. At first, the change of scenery is an escape from his problems, but as he learns of the murky business his brother has been mixed up in, Gerry is forced to confront the truth.
Refreshingly, there is no attempt here to sensationalise the drama. Rather than use shock tactics the filmmakers confidently allow the drama to play out through the performances. It’s a real character piece, focusing heavily on Gerry’s state of mind – pulled off beautifully by Aidan Gillen. However, the very little dialogue that there is can sometimes be clunky and unnatural, which does let the film down. Still, its original style makes it one to watch.