Review: WALDEN On Screen, SFP RE:Emerge Season

Ian Rickson’s play, filmed at the Harold Pinter Theatre, comes to the big screen, providing audiences with a gripping look into a possible, haunting future for humans on Earth influenced by the effects of climate change.

Walden is in touch with modern times, with the plot surrounding itself with themes of technological advances and climate activism; it makes us question whether we are capable of saving Earth from destruction or whether it is beyond repair? Accompanying tensions between twins Cassie (Lydia Wilson) and Stella (Gemma Arterton) add to the complexity of the narrative, with conflicting beliefs providing an obstacle for love. Stella struggles to forgive Cassie for living the life she should have had herself, with the performance following their journey on a road to understanding each other’s perspectives on the matter.

Every second of the drama is believable from start to finish, thanks to Amy Berryman’s emotive script, performed so realistically by the cast. There need not be any alterations to the initial set, with the familiar cabin setting adding to the simplistic, minimalistic lifestyle of both Stella and her partner Bryan (Fehinti Balogun.) They live in a setting so far removed from the terrors of the world beyond their doorstep - a world away from all aspects of the modern world completely, much to Cassie’s shock - that when Cassie arrives, emotional instability is immediately created, although some tension is portrayed through Stella’s irritable behaviour from the outset. 

The casting team are on to a winner with this selection of three, talented performers who succeed in bringing strong-minded individuals and their stories to life. There is no reason for the performance to involve any more characters, as the audience are able to truly delve into the lives of former NASA architect Stella, earth advocate Bryan and NASA botanist Cassie, and feel every intimate moment and emotion as if it is their own. Whilst the American accents may be a little questionable at times, the actors really put their hearts and souls into bringing the characters to life.

Character miscommunication is something that is consistent throughout; the audience will be left feeling as though many of the obstacles the trio face could have been solved much sooner if only they had talked openly about how they were feeling. The frustration between the three characters does start to get tiresome as time goes on but thankfully the communication barrier begins to lift at just the right moment. Nostalgic stories of childhood and family, dreams and ambition help to rekindle a bond that seemed to be well and truly lost.

The last ten minutes of the performance are arguably the most beautiful of the one hour and forty minute show, providing us with a moment of sisterly love. Anybody who gets lost by the complexity of the narrative should be patient in waiting for this moment - they will not regret experiencing a cliffhanger that only adds to the indecisive nature of the characters and instability of the sisters' relationship. You will be left with so many unanswered questions, making you hungry for more time with the characters you have started to build a connection with in such a short time - an effect only the most talented of cast and crew can create.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Tamzin Meyer

Walden On Screen opens in select cinemas from this evening (8 Sept). You can find venues that will be showing the film here.