Burn Burn Burn

The 2016 Seattle International Film Festival hosted the US Premiere of "Burn Burn Burn" from the United Kingdom. Director Chanya Button, working from a screenplay by Charlie Covell brings us a classic road trip, pairing long-time friends who have been tasked with the delivery of their late friend's ashes to four very different locales in the UK.

Each stop entails a segment of his farewell video in which he both chides them for their shortcomings and praises them for their other qualities. He also prompts them to address some long-standing issues with their families.

The award-winning cast:

• Laura Carmichael ("Downton Abbey") is Seph. She has an alcohol problem, a (sorta) boyfriend and she questions the value of a job for which she is called a "nanny."
• Chloe Pirrie (Lots of TV) is Alex, who just caught her girlfriend with a new lover. Alex is alienated from her mother, has a dark secret and major trust issues.
• Jack Farthing ("Poldark") Dan is trying to restore Seph's job, track her journey and propose to her.
• Joe Dempsie ("Game of Thrones") is the late James. His videos, shot during his tragic decline, are the instruction manual for our gals as they gamely try to follow his instructions. He calls himself "Casper the Friendly Ghost."
• Alison Steadman ("Pride and Prejudice" 1996) Diana is a hitchhiker they pick up. She may or may not be crazy.

Our screening audience was impressed by the quality of the acting and the production values, but my personal impression was pretty tepid, mainly because I had so much trouble making out what they said. In fact, the last line of the movie elicited a big laugh and I had to ask a fellow what was said. Aarghhh...

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Take a peek:

http://www.imdb.com/videoplayer/vi1233565209 

* * * * * * * * * * * *