Trailer Trash

Director: William Jones With Harley Ballard, Adam Nash, Chloe Davies Certificate 15
Marriage is a three ring circus: engagement ring, wedding ring and suffering. -years later this message still

rings true throughout the rooms of a dysfunctional familys suburban flat, in this unsettlingcomedy from
William Jones. When we first meet Adam he has just finished preparing his flat for his partner Harley. The problem is his rebellious daughter Chloe is still around, acting as the obstacle, through her excessive noise pollution, to them achieving their primary goal. As Adam slowly descents into madness, only the audience is aware of Harley and Chloes hidden agendas. But can you really blame Chloe, since she is clearly subject to such inexperienced and bad parenting on a daily basis. Is it the parents fault? Jones dots similar ambiguous messages throughout the narrative. Commendable, as it leaves the interpretation open to the viewer, or just simple laziness on his part? If Joness first feature Antonios Life (2012) offers a controversial look into the frightening microcosm of a stalker and his victim, then Trailer Trash dishes up an exclusive look into the troubled workings of a common family. William Joness latest short is a slight deter from his earlier award winning feature Antonios Life; delving into a suburban flat where a working class family lives. Although, Trailer Trashs characters could easily be that of Antonios Life a few years on. Inexperienced father, Adam (Adam Nash) is just as mentally unstable as Antonio, if not a less capable version. Whereas, the two female characters: the devious girlfriend, Harley (Harley Ballard) and the rebellious daughter Chloe (Chloe Davies), emerge fresh and original, in an attempt to sever the links between the two. It is clear the films narrative strategy is brave in the way it encourages the viewer to buy into Adams loving nature before we watch in shock as murderous intents can soon be seen. One moment hes preparing a beautiful proposal, the next hes losing his cool as he bangs on doors, driven mad by his daughter. Even more frightening sights are to come: Harley (Harley Ballard) and Chloe (Chloe Davies) spiking the champagne. Its asking a lot of audiences to keep invested in a protagonist whos usurped of status mid -way through, notwithstanding first-timer Adam Nashs interesting ability to sustain a suggestion of madness, even in the characters most silly moments. Jones, however, is clearly offering analysis rather than repeating cliche. Adams actions can be read as a vulnerable fathers pathetic attempt at keeping his family together, actions which are emphasised and exaggerated by wife Harley, but with the intention of domestic murder. The turning point is evident when Adams pathetic attempts are notice all to well by Harley, who, having had enough, decides to take matters into her own hands. Things are getting complicated, as the viewer realises this isnt going to end simply. So, Harley, now seemingly the most capable, and in charge member, of the family is determined to solve the problem of Chloe. Jones has, however, purposefully made the reader underestimated the daughter, but all is revealed in the Atonement style finale. Adams childlike clumsiness with the ring, subsequently leading to his fall, prove that Jones is by no means exclusively tied to humourless realism. All of which hint to a highly personal mode of filmmaking, one that (unlike the British norm) has not been made into submissive compromise. The trio of teenage nonprofessionals give a brilliantly natural performance, outweighing the objections anyone might have of this film. The typical family environment is brought across expertly. But above all its the emotion that shines through: anger that each member holds towards each other, tired of the life theyre living, vulnerability at the position each member puts themselves in. If not silly at times, this film is an achievement nonetheless.

SYNOPSIS Woodmansterne, Surrey, present day. 33 year old Adam lives with his partner Harley, and his young daughter Chloe, in a suburban flat. Adam is calmly preparing the flat, getting ready to propose, when his rebellious daughter enters loudly. They share a hateful look, and she leaves, but not before causing some trouble. Harley soon enters after, but just as they settle down to champagne, noise again fills the flat. Adam quickly sorts it out, but Harley is not appeased, and so takes their glasses and the bottle into the kitchen in an act of . Adams mood quickly changes, and whilst he violently storms over to Chloes room, Harley is drugging a new champagne glass. Harley asks Chloe to join them, and she does. Meanwhile, Adam has fallen down the back of the sofa after losing the ring, prompting Chloe to ask where he is, and when Harley is not looking, to drug her glass. When they both take a sip, they simultaneously fall off the sofa. Adams head emerges, looks at the engagement ring, and frowns.