16/17
Bailey lives with her brother Hunter and father Bug, who is raising them alone in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time to devote to them. Bailey seeks attention and adventure elsewhere. Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladiator II (2024) to star in this film instead. Edited at Fontaines D.C.: Bug (2024). Too Real Written by Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Tom Coll, and Carlos O’Connell Starring Fontaines D.C.. This is an excellent coming-of-age story, reminiscent of "Wild Diamond" but, in my opinion, executed even better. We follow the life of Bailey, a 12-year-old girl living in the impoverished areas of the UK. From the beginning, it is clear that Bailey perceives the world differently than those around her. Nature, animals, and especially birds symbolize freedom and lightness, a feeling that is vividly conveyed. Bailey meets Bird, a character who embodies the person she aspires to become. At first, she mocks Bird, but by the end, her ridicule turns to admiration. Bailey faces numerous challenges, and Bird subtly guides her toward the solution. Some questions are left unanswered, but to me, the specific answers aren’t important. The journey and growth Bailey experiences are what really matters.
