New Year’s Eve in Derry, Northern Ireland is meant to be a time for celebration. For teenager Greta (Nichola Burley), it is anything but. The daughter of local mobster Frank (Lalor Roddy), she feels isolated and depressed. Aiming to throw herself off a bridge, she suddenly meets Pearce (Martin McCann). Bruised after a run-in with Frank’s enforcers, Pearce shares Greta’s pain. Revenge, love and elicit happenings follow as they plan to ring in the New Year with a bang.
Jump mirrors its title by jumping across its narrative. Using a non-linear way in telling its story, it mixes timelines to generate tension. Whilst initially confusing, it soon settles into a gripping groove. This method works due to some nicely drawn characters and quirky humour. You’re never quite sure what will happen with this unpredictability; Jump’s calling card. The strong cast and Kieron J Walsh’s stylish direction enable it to be consistently engaging.
The New Year’s Eve theme works as each character seeks new beginnings. Although this has been used for sentimental clichés, it succeeds here due to the gritty atmosphere. Its myriad of plot twists are genuinely surprising and don’t become too cramped within the short run-time. This is very much a fast-paced story with chance and fate playing a large part in the lives of its young protagonists desiring better futures.
It’s always exciting unearthing new talent which Jump has in abundance. Lean, quickly moving with a good mix of emotions, it marks a fine start for its talented production team.
Jump screens 26 & 29 November at 8:45pm at the Palace Nova Eastend cinemas.
Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Rating out of 10: 8
The inaugural British Film Festival runs 22 November – 1 December 2013, exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend cinemas.
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