4.3.2.1…Go…Well almost

From looking at the photo on your left you’d be forgiven for thinking that we were still in Sex And The City territory. Fear not though, 4 girls walking side by side in slow motion is where the similarities most definitely end. Directed by Noel Clarke and Mark Davis 4.3.2.1 follows four girls through a 48 hour period against the backdrop of a mysterious diamond heist.

Noel Clarke is currently the bright young thing of British cinema, winning the Orange Rising Star award at the 2009 BAFTAs and critical acclaim for his feature debut Kidulthood. Although to many he will always be Billie Piper’s boyfriend in Doctor Who. He also assumes producer and writing credits here and this is probably his best work. Whilst that may not stand for much considering his relatively short CV, and though he doesn’t always hit the mark it’s encouraging to see him tackling more ambitious material and moving in the right direction.

We see the story from each of the girl’s perspectives until it reaches a certain point where the action is then rewound and we discover what another character has been doing in that time. In this way the film feels like a jigsaw puzzle where the pieces are eventually put together and sections that didn’t initially make sense become clear from another angle. It’s a good device and keeps you guessing for the most part, although towards the final third you’ll probably wish you didn’t have to go back to the start yet again.

This also means that each character carries the film throughout their section and this has variable degrees of success. The right choice is made for beginning with Shannon, played by Ophelia Lovibond; hers is the standout performance in the film and her story the most engaging. The others are more sensationalised, which doesn’t make them any less enjoyable but not as easy to connect with; Tamsin Egerton’s character is far too spoilt to care about (and Kevin Smith completely steals her thunder in a cameo). Emma Roberts’ section, the key that provides all the answers is unforgivably lukewarm. Whilst Shanika Warren-Markland does well as tough talking lesbian Kerrys, introducing a new girlfriend to her world. None of them are helped though by some throughly clunky dialogue in places and I’m still at a loss to the importance of Michelle Ryan’s character, popping up needlessly looking moody while brandishing a gun.

4.3.2.1 has enough to keep you entertained for most of its running time but fails to provide a wholly satisfying conclusion. With some better writing, it could really have been the blast off the title promised.