Clio Barnard’s latest work Ali & Ava is a deep dive into her social realist style, forging a fascinating yet forbidden love story of the ages that explores the journey of a new-found connection.
★★★★✰
Finding love in your middle age is at the centre of Director Clio Barnard’s new and refreshing tale. The discovery that life can always find ways to surprise you with something new and exciting weaves its way through Ali & Ava, offering romance and drama with splashes of comedy, like a breath of fresh air for all who watch. Although its narrative is touching and at moments tough to watch, Ali & Ava is a stunning display of why life is so beautiful and why kinship is ever so important.
Adeel Akhtar and Claire Rushbrook stun in the leading roles, with Akhtar playing up to his ‘sad-comic’ style as Ali, and Rushbrook captivating every scene with her warmth as Ava. Whilst we are thrown into the characters’ hectic lives as middle-aged individuals in the film’s exposition, Barnard succeeds in making us feel as though we’ve known them for years. Ali is a landlord born to a well-off family, a ray of sunshine with an aura that lights up every room. Ava is a sweet-natured classroom assistant, raising her grown-up kids yet silently struggling with the death of her late husband. Although the two on paper appear to be from distant worlds, their love of music and wealth of kindness is what draws one to another.
Set amongst the backdrop of Autumnal Bradford, Ali & Ava paints a picture of warmth in a cold space. The intensities of working-class life are not scrutinised but understood. Barnard is known for how she handles her representation of The North, and Ali & Ava is no different. Ali and Ava’s relationship is not written in the stars, yet both characters redefine the skies to create their own path together. A path that faces barricades of class tensions and lies, one that is rocky but worth its final destination. Often scenes within the film appear to have little dramatic content, however, this is what makes it so special, as we as an audience are captivated by the honest connection created between the duo rather than the actions happening around them. They are lost in their world together, particularly when they enjoy blasting their music through their headphones during sweet bonding sessions which they refuse to call dates.
Creating two truly likeable main characters is often unheard of in cinema, but Barnard does this with style and wit. Not only are we drawn to the couples relationship arc, but we fall for their connection with other characters on individual levels. Ali is struggling to tell his family the truth about his changed relationship status, whilst Ava is coping with the increasing tensions at home as well. Both narratives play out alongside their budding relationship, captivating us with stories so intense and real we can’t bear to look away from the screen in case we miss a quick smile or understanding glance.
Everything about Ali & Ava leaves you wanting more. From its brilliant cinematography and heartwarming narrative to its lovable characters who blossom and develop—Clio Barnard’s latest film is a true masterpiece. Whilst the film values romance at its core, Ali & Ava is an exploration of the tenderness and fragility of relationships.
The Verdict
Ali & Ava is Barnard’s best work so far. The freedom both characters desire plays out through mutual experiences and heartwarming discussions, drawing in the audience to create honest connections with the characters on-screen. Barnard leaves you wanting more with her latest success, surely setting the film in good stead for a warm response when it hits cinemas early next year.
Words by Katie Evans
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