Watch Two For Joy

Two For Joy is a 2018 British drama film directed by Tom Beard, starring Samantha Morton, Billie Piper and Daniel Mays. The film depicts a family in crisis, struggling with grief, poverty and mental illness, as they embark on a summer holiday to the seaside. With a focus on characters over plot, the film explores the complexity of human relationships and the effects of trauma on individuals and families.

The film follows Aisha (Morton), a single mother of two - a teenage daughter Vi (Emilia Jones) and a younger son Troy (Badger Skelton). At the beginning of the film, Aisha is agitated and exhausted, and her children seem to have taken on the responsibility of taking care of her. It is later revealed that Aisha suffers from mental illness and had recently lost her husband.

With the help of a social worker (Daniel Mays), Aisha plans a trip to the seaside as an attempt to distract her children from the harsh realities of their lives. However, the holiday does little to alleviate the family's troubles. Vi, who is in the midst of adolescence, is distant and rebellious, struggling with her own grief and anger. Troy, who is too young to fully understand the situation, is often left to his own devices and becomes fascinated with a fellow holidaymaker - a young, carefree girl named Miranda (Bella Ramsey).

Billie Piper plays Lillah, a local woman who befriends Vi and becomes a source of comfort for her, offering a temporary escape from her troubles. Lillah is an interesting character because she, too, is dealing with her own issues - she works as a bartender and is struggling with addiction and abuse. Throughout the film, we see glimpses of her past and the hardships she has endured, which motivate her to act as a kind of surrogate mother figure to Vi.

What's fascinating about Two For Joy is the way it portrays the characters' emotional struggles and relationships in a very organic, naturalistic way. There are no big, melodramatic moments, no shocking twists or turns. Instead, the film is subtle and contemplative, inviting the viewer to observe and empathize with the characters as they navigate their difficult circumstances. Much of the film takes place in silence, with the camera lingering on the actors' faces as they convey complex emotions without words.

In many ways, the film feels like a slice-of-life character study, but it is also gently surreal at times - dream sequences, flashbacks and visual metaphors add a layer of poeticism to the story. The seaside setting is also used to great effect, with beautiful, moody shots of the ocean contrasted with the mundane reality of the family's holiday home.

Samantha Morton gives a powerful performance as Aisha, capturing the character's fragility, desperation and occasional flashes of hope with nuance and depth. Emilia Jones is also excellent as Vi, conveying the character's anger and vulnerability with raw authenticity. Billie Piper and Daniel Mays provide solid support, giving weight and complexity to their respective roles.

Overall, Two For Joy is a moving and intimate film that explores themes of grief, trauma and resilience with sensitivity and humanity. While it can be difficult to watch at times, it's ultimately a rewarding and thought-provoking experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

Two For Joy is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.