Effi (Leisa Gwenllian) is a young woman from Blaenau Ffestiniog, a run down town where the only family income is coming from part time shifts her grandmother does in the chip shop. Effi lives for drink and drugs fuelled nights out with her friends, including Kev (Owen Alun) who she has a casual relationship with. On such a night out in Llandudno, she meets disabled ex-soldier, Lee (Tom Rhys Harries) and spends the night with him. She believes that she may have a future with him, but he ghosts her.
This story started as a monodrama play called ‘Iphigenia in Splott’ by Gary Owen. It has been adapted superbly by Branwen Cennard and directed, with an eye for the run down but spirited communities of North Wales, by Marc Evans. Gwenllian announces herself as a major new acting talent with her blistering lead performance. Effi can be frustrating and make some poor decisions, but she is spirited and ultimately has a good heart. Gwenllian portrays all the facets of Effi’s personality with complete conviction. All of the performances are spot on, mostly by little known performers, though there is one great sequence with the always excellent Alexa Davies.
This is an emotional raw film that addresses poverty, NHS cuts and alcohol abuse without ever being preachy.
Rating: 9 out of 10