Watch Black Mountain Poets

Black Mountain Poets is a 2015 British comedy-drama film directed by Jamie Adams. The movie stars Alice Lowe, Dolly Wells, Tom Cullen, and Rosa Robson. It follows two sisters, Lisa (Lowe) and Claire (Wells), who are on the run from the police after stealing a car. The two of them pose as poets and attend a retreat held at a remote Welsh castle.

The movie starts with the two sisters stealing a car, and Lisa accidentally leaves her bag behind at the scene. The bag contains her poetry, and the two of them decide to attend a poetry retreat held at the Black Mountain Castle in order to retrieve it. Once there, they pretend to be the two poets who were supposed to attend, and they quickly find themselves fitting in among the other poets.

At the retreat, Lisa and Claire meet some eccentric and interesting characters such as Richard (Cullen), a young poet who is very taken with Claire, and Dave (Richard Elis), a scruffy and self-proclaimed outsider poet. Over the course of the retreat, the two sisters find themselves growing closer to the group, and they feel a sense of belonging that they have never experienced before.

However, their charade is eventually discovered when the real poets show up, and they are forced to flee the retreat. Lisa and Claire must decide whether to continue their life on the run or to confront their problems head-on.

The movie has a slow-burning sense of humor that relies on the awkwardness of the characters and their situations. The characters' quirks and their interactions provide levity to an otherwise somber overarching story. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, creativity, and redemption.

The movie's cinematography is noteworthy for its use of handheld cameras and natural lighting to capture the atmosphere and scenery of the Welsh countryside. The scenes inside the castle are also shot in a way that makes the location feel both eerie and majestic at the same time.

The performances in the movie are excellent across the board. Alice Lowe and Dolly Wells are particularly winning as the two sisters, Lisa and Claire. Their chemistry and the way they play off of each other makes their relationship feel authentic and emotionally resonant.

Tom Cullen's character, Richard, provides a romantic subplot to the story. His awkward attempts at wooing Claire are both endearing and humorous. Richard Elis also delivers an excellent performance as Dave, the outsider poet who provides some of the movie's funniest moments.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the way it examines the process of writing poetry. The characters' discussions of different poetic techniques and the way they use their own experiences to inspire their work are fascinating to watch. The movie also explores the idea that art can be a way to cope with deep emotional pain, and that creativity can be a means of healing.

Overall, Black Mountain Poets is a charming and thought-provoking film that is both funny and poignant. Its exploration of identity, creativity, and redemption is elevated by its beautiful cinematography and strong performances. It's a movie that will appeal to both fans of comedy and drama, and it's definitely worth a watch.