It's the world's first screening of Maxine Peake's new film, Keeping Rosy, being held in what they're calling an immersive `pop-up' cinema at 55 Portland Street – except you can't find the bloody place. After walking up and down, staring through doors at Chinese restaurants, the only way to locate it is via the map on the Keeping Rosy website…
The building is a great big glass office block near the corner of Sackville Street and it turns out it's got a huge 55 over its door which isn't apparent from the main road. The security guard gives you a stern look as he takes you up in the lift to the somethingth floor and you tell him you couldn't find the bleedin' place. He don't take kindly to perceived middle class idiots. Afterwards you realise that you were already immersed in the film.
55 Portland Street is a world removed from most Salford people's experience, unless you work at Media City or somewhere (again, removed from most Salford people's experience). It's immaculate, ultra modern and when you get out of the lift a cleaner leads you to this open plan floor with stunning views of Manchester city centre on all sides. A glass of champagne?
You're already sliding into the lifestyle…a shallow, vacuous lifestyle. But it is rather nice, despite being out of place in jeans and a hoody. Anyway, you've sipped your champagne, taken in the views, observed the small talk and you're ushered to a seat by one of the cleaners. Attached to your chair is a smart glass tablet with a sound app and some headphones. You could be at a conference…
The film begins in a similar posh office block somewhere in London where career obsessed, power suited, thirtysomething Charlotte (played by Maxine Peake), learns that she's been overlooked for a partnership at work. She's been overlooked for a bloke who's less experienced and seems to have it all with a pretty wife and baby. Let jealousy, hatred and anger rip. If Thatcher went to work that would be the face. Stern, harsh, icy…chilling.
Charlotte legs it home, through screaming cinematic symbolism, to her obscenely posh, minimalist flat in a gentrified, former council tower block called Elysium Heights - and, in the absence of a cat to kick, takes her frustrations out on the East European cleaner.
From there the action lurks through the horror of self realisation, studded by a plot that twists and turns and goshes…and OMG! This happens, then that happens but she does this and tries to do that…but then…telling any of it would be giving it all away…
Into the brochure-smart apartment comes Charlotte's sister (played superbly normal by Christine Bottomley) and her kid, bringing a northern attitude to the rarefied opulence of the London bubble – checking out the views and swigging the champagne, while reminding Charlotte of her roots and how far she's ditched them. And then there's the cheery, sneery Cockney security guard (played by the very un-Inbetweeners like Blake Harrison) who adds to the social and moral contrast.
Keeping Rosy combines everything – horror, psychological thriller, self realisation, social comment, a storming plot and the now expected stunning performance from Maxine Peake as her character slowly melts.
It's only when the film ends that everything about the pop-up cinema location fits into place – it's Charlotte's office, it's Charlotte's apartment…plus the cleaners, the security guards, and your final exit…
…And, needless to say, you'll never drink champagne again without it leaving a rather nasty taste in your psyche!
Keeping Rosy
Starring Maxine Peake, Blake Harrison and Christine Bottomley
55 Portland Street until 6th July
Screenings at 6:30pm and 9pm – arrive 15 minutes before.
Tickets £19.50 (inc booking fee and a glass of champagne!)
To see the trailer and ticket information see www.keepingrosy.com or click here
Review by Stephen Kingston
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
