Films that are based around routine situations often affect the audience in a deeper way than those that are not. Consider this situation; you and your friend have come back from holiday and need a shuttle home from the airport. It’s late, raining and you just want to get back. There are many ways this situation could end, the most likely being you end up at home, safe and sound. Shuttle (released by Metrodome on 4 May) shows us just how wrong things can go. The film follows two girls, Mel (Peyton List) and Jules (Cameron Goodman), who are stuck at the airport with no lift home. After doubling up with a couple of men looking for a good time on their way home, the girls start to realise the ride home isn’t what they bargained for.

Shuttle, made by two small American production companies, struggles in the first half to really engage the audience. The driver of the shuttle has made his intentions clear, and we are waiting for something big to happen. There are a few scenes, notably one in a grocery store, that seem to be delaying the intentions of the film. But as the story unfolds, this turns out to be far from the truth. These scenes not only build the plot and add to a surprisingly well designed ending, but they also allow for more experimental shot selection. Many of the shots of Mel when she is in the store give a wide range of angles and lengths; some aim to show character emotion whilst others concentrate on scenery.

There is one character twist, which, in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t change the plot too much, but what stood out to me was the ability of the actor. Cullen Douglas portrays Andy, who appears very quiet, shy and edgy. When his character traits change there is an explosion of emotion from him, which is highly enjoyable.

The plot builds to an unpredictable, traumatic ending which is sure to grab attention. Perhaps Shuttle lacks suspense in the first half, but when the plot thickens the audience is enthralled by the film’s depth and detail. The decision to shoot the film with as much emotion on screen as possible is definitely the right one for this film, and with such a harrowing twist to finish on, Shuttle puts forward a decent account of itself.

Words > Mat Lucas