EIFF 2012: California Solo

A powerful, despair-laced central performance from Robert Carlyle elevates Marshall Lewy’s at times ponderous look at an alcoholic former rocker attempting to banish his demons, who takes stock under the threat of deportation back to Blighty following a drink-driving charge. As the wasted but charismatic Lachlan, Carlyle imbues a familiar character with depth the paper-thin script scant deserves; drunken, teary introspection, longing after the cute patron of his famer’s market, Beau (Rasmussen), and awkwardly attempting re-engagement with his estranged daughter are believably, sympathetically rendered by a talented performer. But the film falls down in its attempts to offer Lachlan catharsis. Holding himself responsible for the death of Jed, his brother and bandmate, years previously, his transition from emotional trainwreck to a man able to address and come to terms with his guilt is unfortunately ill-drawn. Well shot, with an appropriately sunbaked aesthetic and touching score, it's a shame there's not more substance to go with the substance-abuse. [Chris Fyvie]