Friday, December 1, 2023
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
flickfeast
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute
  • Submissions
    • Advertise on Flickfeast
    • Submit a Film
No Result
View All Result
FLICKFEAST
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews Film Review

Soundtrack to Sixteen (2020) – Film Review

Katie Smith-Wong by Katie Smith-Wong
June 16, 2020
in Film Review
Soundtrack to Sixteen (2020) – Film Review
15
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Coming-of-age stories tend to revolve around unrequited love, popping one’s cherry or the big journey of self-discovery. However, Hillary Shakespeare’s directorial debut, Soundtrack to Sixteen, offers a different perspective that all teens are sure to relate to.

Set in the 2000s, the film focuses on two teenagers, Ben (James Calloway) and Maisy (Scarlett Marshall), as they experience social anxiety under the pressure of exams.

You might also like

The Noble Guardian (2023) – Short Film Review

Wish (2023) – Film Review

A Chocolate Lens (2023) – Short Film Review

Although Soundtrack to Sixteen mainly comprises a coming-of-age story, its dramatic and comedic parts feel lacklustre in delivery so its themes and tones become unbalanced as the film progresses. Along with the inconsistent monthly time jumps, it doesn’t feel like there is enough time to fully invest in Maisy and Ben’s growing friendship nor their ongoing troubles so Hillary and Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare’s sweet screenplay sways under its aesthetics. 

However, what saves Soundtrack to Sixteen is Marshall and Calloway’s endearing performances. Despite the pressure of the dreaded AS levels, both Ben and Maisy are both plagued by their respective insecurities. Awkward Maisy is so desperate to fit in, she ditches her friends to ‘hang out’ with the popular girls, only for them to ignore and practically belittle her. Ben thinks that he is smarter than everyone else but cannot understand how his grades are lower than his peers. Under the blanket of exam anxiety, it brings about this relatable feeling of being a teenager that comes with the fears of growing up – a plot element that is sure to strike a nostalgic chord in audiences – as well as the ease of giving up at the first hurdle.

For a directorial debut, Shakespeare offers a fuss-free style of visuals that reinforces its low-key narrative. As a package, Soundtrack to Sixteen is a sweet, refreshingly naturalistic film that speaks to the teenager in all of us.  

Director: Hillary Shakespeare; Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare (co-writer)
Stars: Scarlett Marshall, James Calloway, Jamal Hadjkura, Jack Boal, Isabel Fidderman
Runtime: 83 minutes
Country: UK

Film Rating: ★★★☆☆

Tags: Anna-Elizabeth Shakespearebritish filmfilm reviewHillary ShakespeareIsabel FiddermanJack BoalJamal HadjkuraJames CallowayScarlett MarshallSoundtrack to Sixteen
Katie Smith-Wong

Katie Smith-Wong

Related Posts

The Noble Guardian (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

The Noble Guardian (2023) – Short Film Review

by Calum Cooper
November 27, 2023
Wish (2023) – Film Review
Film Review

Wish (2023) – Film Review

by Katie Smith-Wong
November 23, 2023
A Chocolate Lens (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

A Chocolate Lens (2023) – Short Film Review

by Calum Cooper
November 16, 2023
Breakpoint (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

Breakpoint (2023) – Short Film Review

by Calum Cooper
November 16, 2023
It Turns Blue (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

It Turns Blue (2023) – Short Film Review

by Calum Cooper
November 16, 2023

Recommended

World Cinema Wednesday: Delicatessen (1991)

World Cinema Wednesday: Delicatessen (1991)

November 2, 2016

EIFF 2023: Silent Roar (2023) – Film Review

August 19, 2023

Don't miss it

The Noble Guardian (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

The Noble Guardian (2023) – Short Film Review

November 27, 2023
Wish (2023) – Film Review
Film Review

Wish (2023) – Film Review

November 23, 2023
A Chocolate Lens (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

A Chocolate Lens (2023) – Short Film Review

November 16, 2023
Breakpoint (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

Breakpoint (2023) – Short Film Review

November 16, 2023
It Turns Blue (2023) – Short Film Review
Film Review

It Turns Blue (2023) – Short Film Review

November 16, 2023
A Binding Truth (2023) – Film Review
Film Review

A Binding Truth (2023) – Film Review

November 16, 2023
flickfeast

Whetting your appetite for cinema with the best film reviews and features since 2009

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festivals
  • FrightFeast
  • Spotlight
  • Contribute

© Copyright - flickfeast. All Rights Reserved.

Posting....