Fate has a strange and often cunning way of weaving its way into people’s lives. In the case of street thief Eddie (Mackenzie Proll), that comes in the form of the old soul-switcheroo. When he steals the purse of the wealthy Margaret (Sophia Myles), a wild twist of the powers that be sends both down a path of trauma and redemption, first through a harrowing car accident, then with Eddie encountering Margaret’s troubling life at home with her abusive husband David (Alec Newman).
Supernatural reckonings always come with a dose of the unpredictable, and while director Dan Bronzite’s film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it certainly makes the award-winning All That Glitters a worthwhile watch for its social commentary alone. The ‘everyone has a story’ angle may have been diluted by the media throughout the years, but not here. The contrast between Eddie and Margeret could not be more stark. The former is a desperate teenager braving the streets, while the latter is a well-off socialite with material goods to spare. However, Eddie’s violent upbringing aligns with Margaret’s unfortunate, volatile marriage. By bringing these two vastly different worlds together, Bronzite manages to find common ground on both sides, laying the foundation for a compelling narrative that thankfully doesn’t squander its potential.
Bronzite and Buckle Up Entertainment really elevate their film further with how deliberate they make each moment feel. Between outstanding cinematography (Simon Rowling), color grading, and sound (Adam Johnson), you definitely won’t find any of the technical trappings most indie films struggle with here.
Tensions escalate as soon as Margaret’s husband David enters any room, especially when their daughter becomes entangled in the conflict. The emotional stakes become dire, and it’s a treat to watch the talented duo of Myles and Proll slip into roles that require them to challenge themselves. And while the thematic content may not be exactly jovial, there’s a weirdly humorous edge that comes with Eddie being trapped in an environment he knows next to nothing about, save for his spite. The entire cast impresses, most of all Tillie Murray, who turns in an incredibly sweet performance as Margaret’s daughter Sasha.
An engrossing drama with a dash of the fantastical, All That Glitters makes the most of its story about class divides and the private battles people fight behind closed doors.
