Days of Bagnold Summer

First-time director Simon Bird spins a bittersweet tale of the complexities of family and teenage strife, starring Earl Cave (True History of the Kelly Gang and son of Australian powerhouse talent Nick Cave) and his librarian mum Sue (played delightfully by a spirited Monica Dolan, Black Mirror, All About Eve).
Dolan plays mild librarian Sue Bagnold, mum to lank-haired metalhead Daniel (Cave) and owner of a trusty labrador called Riley. Dad is long gone – off to Florida and a new fiancée – and Daniel has been invited out for the wedding. The invitation is both a respite from the boredom of school holidays and a token of his dad’s love, so when it’s retracted, Daniel is hurt and lashes out at his baffled mum. Sue is left trying her best to pick up the pieces as her sullen offspring retreats into himself, his bedroom, and his Metallica albums. As a result, the Bagnolds fill the hours with wary meals out, little rituals (Daniel begrudgingly lets his mum try his cake – but never the icing), and even that English summer staple: a disappointing trip to the seaside.
With strong performances from its cast including Tamsin Greg (Episodes, Shaun Of The Dead) and Rob Brydon (The Trip, Blinded By The Light) this debut feature brings a gentle coming-of-age, funny tale that acts as love-letter to single mums, introverts, suburbia and that great stretch of summer.

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