Band Aid

Written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones, Band Aid follows married couple Anna (Lister-Jones) and Ben (Adam Pally) as they decide to start a band in a last-ditch effort to save their relationship. First-time filmmaker Lister-Jones does a superb job of effectively establishing the two central characters and their less-than-healthy bond, with the picture’s fairly authentic atmosphere heightened by impressive performances and an ongoing emphasis on unexpectedly heartwrenching sequences. (There is, in terms of the latter, a tragedy in Anna and Ben’s past that comes to forefront more and more as the narrative progresses.) And while the sprinkling of admittedly memorable songs throughout doesn’t hurt, Band Aid‘s most potent weapon is the chemistry and banter between Lister-Jones and Pally’s respective figures – with Anna and Ben slowly-but-surely transformed into thoroughly compelling and entirely sympathetic protagonists for which one can’t help but root. The end result is a solid debut that bodes well for Lister-Jones’ future endeavors behind the camera, and it’s clear, too, that Band Aid stands as a better-than-average look at the state of contemporary relationships.

*** out of ****