Eager to impress his new girlfriend Lisa, Nav steals a caravan and swings by her house to take her away for a weekend. Lisa insists that they take her young daughter Molly along with them. Nav relents but his aim is the same as before to be with Lisa and not with her daughter. Giving her a tenner and letting her walk off by herself while he beds down in the caravan. Once he has had his fill though, Molly is nowhere to be found.
Shown recently as one of the finalists for TCM's Classic Shorts competition, this film is a dark look at relationships that is selfish and temporary. At least, that is how I see it because to me the story of Nav and Lisa is one of adults looking out for themselves in regards needs. Nav is the clearest to blame but Lisa is not much better herself. Ironically the man who takes Molly for a walk appears to be one of the few innocents in this story. The film shows the emotional roller-coaster of this relationship really, with fun turning into chaos which is instant and terrible but yet almost as quickly forgotten when it is done. Lawson delivers this with good tension and an uncertain air that kept me interested in where the story was going.
The actors all hit their characters on the head. Child actor Dodsworth is an innocent and sweet presence at the heart of the film but for me it was Roachford who got his turn just right. His irresponsible, selfish but charming Nav is instantly recognisable and the audience felt the same about him as Lisa does easy to like and dislike depending on the time of the day. Slinger does solid work as well and does not let us forget her role in the story.
Overall this is a solid and interesting short film that works on several levels. Lawson delivers a solid air of tension while also writing characters who are sadly true to life.