{"id":6174,"date":"2016-02-21T00:12:39","date_gmt":"2016-02-20T23:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.electricsheepmagazine.co.uk\/reviews\/?p=6174"},"modified":"2016-03-20T12:13:04","modified_gmt":"2016-03-20T11:13:04","slug":"nina-forever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.electricsheepmagazine.co.uk\/reviews\/2016\/02\/21\/nina-forever\/","title":{"rendered":"Nina Forever"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Nina<\/a>
Nina Forever<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

\nFormat:<\/B> DVD, Blu-ray, VOD

\nRelease date:<\/B> 22 February 2016

\nDistributor:<\/B> Studiocanal

\nDirectors:<\/B> Ben Blaine, Chris Blaine

\nWriters:<\/B> Ben Blaine, Chris Blaine

\nCast:<\/B> Fiona O\u2019Shaughnessy, Abigail Hardingham, Cian Barry

\nUK 2015

\n98 mins\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


\nThis original ghost story looks at grief with both humour and poignancy.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The debut feature from Ben and Chris Blaine is a blackly comedic character study that takes its setup from a fairly common circumstance \u2013 the prospect of starting a new relationship in the shadow of much-beloved or outstanding former partner. However, while a number of relationships are haunted by the intangible spectre of a previous love, in Nina Forever<\/I> the problem is a little more substantial, in every respect.<\/p>\n

Following the death of his girlfriend Nina (Fiona O\u2019Shaughnessy, Outcast<\/I>) in a car accident, Rob (Cian Barry, Real Playing Game<\/I>) has quit his PhD, taken a minimum wage job at a supermarket, and even tried a half-hearted attempt at suicide. His tragic story has caught the attention of Holly (Abigail Hardingham), a co-worker and trainee paramedic with a fascination for all things morbid. The pair begin a tentative relationship, but their first attempt at consummation is rudely interrupted when the formerly deceased Nina appears in the bed with them, limbs twisted from the crash and dripping blood. Equally surprised by her sudden return to corporeal existence, she is not impressed by the other girl\u2019s presence. When Rob points out that she\u2019s supposed to be dead, Nina snaps back: \u2018That doesn\u2019t mean we\u2019re on a break!\u2019<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that Nina reappears whenever they try to have sex, Rob and Holly do their best to maintain their relationship, even trying to bring the ex-ex into a somewhat unorthodox ménage à trois<\/I> situation that nonetheless fails entirely. Their other attempts, including having sex on Nina\u2019s grave, are equally unsuccessful. Eventually a series of unforeseen events forces Rob and Holly to reassess the situation and the possible reasons behind it. <\/p>\n

Even though it presents a number of humorous moments, Nina Forever<\/I> is actually a serious look at the nature of grief (and to a lesser extent attraction). Rob and Holly might be struggling to deal with Nina\u2019s very real presence, but the dead girl\u2019s parents are no less affected, even though it\u2019s only intangible memories they are trying to process. They\u2019re not even able to move on in the ways Rob is attempting; he can blot out and replace his memories, but that\u2019s simply not an option for Nina\u2019s parents. Ironically their only desire (to have their daughter back with them) has turned into Rob\u2019s nightmare, highlighting the somewhat transitory nature of his grief as compared to theirs, which can never be removed, only accommodated. <\/p>\n

However, although they are dealing with serious themes, the Blaines are also careful to balance the more sober elements with humorous situations and witty dialogue, including Nina\u2019s priceless observation that putting white sheets on the bed might not be the best way to go, all things considered. All three primary cast members are solid, but Abigail Hardingham gives a standout performance in a role that could easily have become a fairly archetypal \u2018weird girl\u2019. It\u2019s good to see that her career as a paramedic becomes something more than just an extension of her morbid interests, thanks to a key scene that shows she may have a genuine talent for helping people in distress. In all Nina Forever<\/I> is a confident, original debut that suggests Ben and Chris Blaine may have an interesting career ahead of them.<\/p>\n

Jim Harper<\/B><\/I><\/p>\n

Watch the trailer:<\/b><\/p>\n