GRIMMFEST 2020: An Ideal Host
GRIMMFESTFirst impressions can be deceiving. This is the case with Robert Woods’ directorial debut, An Ideal Host. The film follows Liz (Nadia Collins) and Jackson (Evan Williams), who have just moved back to their hometown to settle down and start their life properly. In honour of ten years together, they have rehearsed their own marriage proposal to perform at a dinner with a bunch of their old friends. This group of misfits includes the handsome Brett (St John Cowcher), the lovestruck Mara (Mary Soudhi), the uninvited alcoholic Daisy (Naomi Brockwell) as well as Kyle (Daniel Buckle) and Jon (Tristan McInnes), who are still technically on their first date.
The group catch up over a tour of the property – courtesy of Liz’s detailed itinerary – and relationships start being explained to the audience. Jackson comes across as bland and wet, Daisy seems to be thrown in simply to cause drama and Jon does the annoyingly irritating comic relief part. This may simply be down to a case of writer Tyler Jacob Jones not knowing how to scribe general conversational scenes or it might be a deliberate choice on the part of Woods. As the true plot of the film reveals itself, the whole dynamic of the movie flips the actor’s disadvantages and plays them incredibly well. Jackson’s dryness levitates some of the funniest quips, Daisy is realised as the film’s most genuine character and becomes a hero to root for, while Jon steps up to the part of genuinely memorable comic relief, as well as cementing himself easily as the fan favourite of the group.
It is from this turning point that the sharp, biting quality of Jones’ script reveals itself. Although he is playing with tropes descended from decades of sci-fi and horror, he never lets An Ideal Host feel unoriginal. It’s this fresh take, plus a helping hand from the eclectic cast of characters, that helps elevate the film above what it initially seems like.
A lot is left to be desired with Woods cinematography. However, most of his shots are flat, unsure of themselves, coming across as studentesque. This, amongst other first impressions, are potential turn-offs for the whole film. Fortunately, the runtime is so tight, the plot hopefully kicks into gear, before one can get too prejudiced about the level of the production.
Despite the shaky beginning that almost ruins the whole thing, An Ideal Host proves a thoroughly entertaining ride, as the plot thickens, which never once gives away where it’s heading next.