It's taken me a while to get round to watching this, I'll admit I was avoiding it. But can you blame me? Ricky Gervais' first two attempts at breaking into films (Ghost Town and The Invention Of Lying) were average, easily forgotten films. Cemetery Junction is a very different beast with Ricky Gervais and his usual writing partner Stephen Merchant taking a far more preferable role behind the keyboard and the camera. Showcasing their writing talents and instead throwing the acting spotlight on far younger blood was a smart move which has helped make a surprisingly good coming of age film.
I'm not usually one for coming of age films, they're predictable, the characters are walking cliché's and the plot's are big non events. In many ways, that also sums up this film. It won't ever surprise you in it's direction, the character's aren't too original and not a lot really happens. But it's the beauty of it's execution that makes this film such a bright light in it's genre. All three of the lead character's are genuinely likable and it's a joy to see them all go through their story arcs and develop as people while Ralph Fiennes continue's his consistency with a well turned in performance as the cold boss of an insurance policy company. If you're looking for a warm, enjoyable and pleasantly short film (clocking in at little over 90 minutes) then this is a strong candidate and a promising start to Gervais' and Merchant's film writing talents.
8/10
