Now, from the short, we already knew some very important things about Ben.
Apparently, Suzy is always looking for the greener grass, and this adds to Ben's feelings of inadequacy. Ben Willis (Sean Biggerstaff) and long-term girlfriend Suzy (Michelle Ryan) are face to face with the notion that Ben no longer feels he can live up to her expectations and make her happy in the long run. As I nestled down into my seat with a few other independent film patriots, the new Cashback began with a break-up. It so happens, the film is now also available for purchase on DVD. So, with relish, I finally got a chance to stop by my local art house cinema and see the results of his efforts. There was so much more that could be done with Ben Willis and his time-suspending antics at the Sainsbury supermarket. At the time, it seemed like a great idea. A vastly underrated little gem.Back in February 2006, Sean Ellis's short film, Cashback (2005) had been nominated for an Academy Award for, of course, Best Short Film ( read the review) and it was announced that he had secured funding to make the film into a full-length feature. Skilfully handled by everyone involved and the kind of film that warrants more attention. However, this is a small gripe in what is otherwise an inventive and sophisticated little drama. To go from an 18min short to a 100min feature is a bit of a stretch and as a result, the film meanders toward it's conclusion. The only apparent problem is over-length. Ellis is a director that has now caught my attention and he draws excellent performances from a relatively unknown cast.
It's a cleverly constructed and stylish debut with sharp dialogue and genuinely touching and hilarious moments. Such a shame, that this hasn't gained a wider audience. However, it's also a prime example of how films can be almost completely buried if it doesn't receive the right marketing campaign. It's a good comparison as this film is as fresh and engaging as Smith's earlier work. a background in poetry and painting instead of Comic-books and bestiality jokes". The New York Post compared Sean Ellis to "Clerks" director Kevin Smith, if he had ". This is an imaginative and thoroughly rewarding little film from a promising new director.
And so begins, the journey of insomniac Ben Willis who stops time and undresses women to paint and sketch their female form. Not unlike the feeling of somebody walking over your grave". And when it started back up again, the invisible join would be seamless except for a slight shudder. Nobody would even know that time has stopped. The best way to describe this film lies in a direct quote from the protagonist himself "Within this frozen world I'm able to walk freely and unnoticed. As sleep is hard to come by, he takes on a night-shift at the local supermarket where he develops ways to alter time and indulge in his artistic imagination. Young artist Ben Willis (Sean Biggerstaff) breaks up with girlfriend Suzy (Michelle Ryan) which leads to him developing insomnia. Because of this, he decided to expand it to feature length and delivers a delightful little independent film. Director Sean Ellis made an 18 minute short film in 2004 that won a plethora of International awards and received an Oscar nomination.