Director Ryan Andrew Hooper puts together a superb cast in his debut feature The Toll. Featuring Michael Smiley (In his second decent outing this August, Censor being the other. Read our review of Censor here), Game Of Thrones Iwan Rheon, Paul Kaye, Annes Elwy and Julian Glover make up the stellar cast in this coen-esque crime caper.
On the Pembrokeshire border, a man (Smiley) working solo shifts in the quietest toll booth in Wales, hides from a criminal past where nobody would ever look. As his past actions catch up with him and his peace is shattered, he enlists the help of local ne’er-do-wells and oddballs, including a female Elvis impersonator, rampaging triplets and disgruntled sheep farmers, while village police officer Catrin (Elwy) grows increasingly suspicious…
The Toll, is a wry crime drama in the vein of The Coens and Tarantino, however with it’s jarring non linear narrative, never quite attains that lofty perch. It’s still another great indie Brit flick that is well worth your time, as the film is solid enough and very enjoyable.
As mentioned the non linear storytelling can at times times remove you from the narrative, but the eventual payoff is definitely worth staying to the end for. The dark humour that runs throughout gives The Toll that extra edge and certainly keeps you entertained.
Iwan Rheon as Dom is a hoot, with his sardonic tones, Smiley again shows just why it’s worth casting him in everything as he is simply outstanding in whatever he turns his hand too. As the surly toll booth operator always keeps you on your toes as to whats coming next. However once again it’s a strong female lead, this time in Annes Elwy that really cements The Toll as a solid crime caper, as she exudes the right balance of pathos and strength as the local police officer just trying to get a handle of what’s going on at the same time as dealing with her own personal grief.
The welsh cinematography is booth bleak and exhilarating and certainly a superb backdrop as the drama plays out. The jokes pile up as do the bodies as the film tumbles towards it’s conclusion, with apparent gusto in a film that for a debut director is a real achievement and can only hope that it reaches a wide audience.
The Toll overall is an above average Brit flick from Ryan Andrew Hooper and we look forward to seeing what he does next.
Signature Entertainment presents The Toll in cinemas and on premium digital 27 August
