Re-blogging the below review of a strange, funny and original film called Fingerface. The film is now available to watch in full on YouTube here.
So a couple of weeks ago I got an interesting message from a nice man called Andrew Dawson. Basically he asked if I’d be so kind as to watch his independent film and review it. Er…..yes please!
Fingerface had just premiered at the Hamilton Comedy Film Festival and also *drumroll please* won Best Screenplay at the Sydney Indie Film Festival.
Very cool. But I didn’t need any convincing – this was something that I was absolutely delighted to do.
Fingerface is a very unique film, even within the independent / low budget variety. Not only did Andrew do literally everything himself from the script to the music to the acting to the camerawork (phew!) but the entire film is played out by….. fingers. Yes that’s right, fingers. Fingers with felt tip faces.
I won’t pretend that I wasn’t a little apprehensive before watching it. I mean at 88 minutes Fingerface is certainly not a short – this is a feature length film starring Andrew Dawson’s fingers. And of course I couldn’t help but speculate on how well it would work and how much I’d enjoy it.
The story centres around main character (or main ‘finger’) Giles as he attempts to woo Stephanie – the girl of his dreams. In his attempt to impress her he ends up on kind of a quest (involving pirates, a cult and an open mic night) and though Fingerface is a love story, it is simply too unusual and adventurous to be a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy – even if the actors weren’t all fingers!
Well I certainly enjoyed it anyway. It was well made, well written and best of all – had a feel good vibe. I laughed out loud a fair few times and actually caught myself rooting for characters (fingers) and similarly – hating them too. And I really loved the music. Much of the soundtrack was Giles playing his guitar (well not really – the guitar was made out of paper but you know what I mean) and this was perfect for a film that felt charming right from the start – except those dreamy steamy sex scenes which were a tad cringe.
But to be honest I could sit here and list loads of things I liked about Fingerface. I loved the dry humour and surprise plot turns. The felt-tip pen drawn sets were endearing and appealing and I really liked the straight talking Harry – who I’m sure would have been played by Michael Smiley had Andrew wanted a full size actor instead of a finger.
But I’ll tell you what I liked the most – the sheer proof that you do not need buckets of cash to make a film. You don’t even need one (small) bucket. I’ve been a fan of independent, low budget movies since I was a teenager and I am a big advocate for them. Some of my favourite films are so low budget no-one has heard of them and I’m not kidding. But I get bored of the big blockbusters. Exotic women, exploding cars, Liam Neeson hamming it up in a leather jacket – you don’t really need any of it.
For me, the best movies tell a great story and I couldn’t possibly ask for more than that.
Fingerface is released as VOD on 1st December 2015. You can pre-order it here and watch the trailer below.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
What the….???? Lol! Great review, Emma! This certainly sounds…. Interesting? 🙂
Thanks Miss Mutant!!!!! 🙂
Definitely interesting yes 🙂 VERY unique lol.
Oh. My. Goodness. This looks adorable! And you’re right, the best movies don’t need tons of cash behind them, they just need heart. This one definitely seems to have that. I love that he has little paper shirts and a paper guitar, so creative!! But I imagine that finger sex scenes would be a tad cringe, haha! Awesome review, Emma!
Thanks so much Mel!!!! You’re always so nice to me, do I deserve it?!! Lol.
Are you going to watch it?
TOTALLY agree and what a nice way of putting it, movies only need heart 🙂
❤ ❤ ❤
You do deserve it! You’re the best 🙂 I will watch it as soon as it’s on iTunes. I actually am really looking forward to it.
Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts!! 🙂
I will!
This is a really cool concept. I’ll keep an eye out for it!
It’s definitely worth watching!! I like your profile pic haha 🙂
Oh man!!!! This has got to be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! I wonder if any major name Thumbs were cast in supporting roles. . . Would Roger Ebert have given this two thumbs up?? How does the middle finger factor in to all of this?! So many questions! So many puns! I have to see this. Nice Em 😀
Haha! LOVE THIS COMMENT!!!!! You really ‘nailed’ it with those jokes, you’ve got me in the ‘palm’ of your hand! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Tom! It’s very cute isn’t it, it’s also very funny, perfecto combination! Will you watch it?
Love your jokes, honestly your comment make me smile so much 🙂
How are you?
I’m doing okay over here, how about yourself?
And yes I absolutely will watch it. I don’t suppose it’s available anywhere online yet is it?
I’m not too bad thanks Tom 🙂
I’m just enquiring about this for you now….!
Oh, fantastic!
Would it be in poor taste to say any of the finger actors “nailed” their performance?
HA!!! I just read Tom’s comment and replied with a very similar pun! Definitely not in poor taste, I’d be upset if you hadn’t said that!
Puntastic 😀
I can’t think of another one so I’ll have to use one I just used (poor I know!) you’ve got me in the ‘palm’ of your hand with those jokes!!! 🙂
Well, I don’t wanna get in the ‘middle’ of things, but did the director ‘index’ his scenes? Seems like he could use some ‘pointer’s, I could ‘thumb’ it down for him and give him a ‘hand’ but he might think I was being a ‘pinky’ Pete (from Toy Story).
Sorry, I’m just using this ‘digit’al communication trying to be all ‘cute’icle. So ‘knuckle’ up you seat belts cause I’m – OK I’ll stop!
Oh God! You just gave me the hiccups Tim!
Whew, I was afraid you’d be ti’ring’ of my ‘pun’ishment. Speaking of which, does Emma’s review count as a finger ‘print’ – OK seriously I’m done! XD
Hahaha! 🙂
Hahaha! You are soo punny!
Oh I see what you did there. Are you punlazing me?
I am! You’re a bad influence Tim!😏
Aren’t I though?
*twists mustache with maniacal giggling*
MWAHAHAGA–cough, cough!
I love that!!!!!!
Puns are fun!
I love them!!!!!!!!
We’re so very funny!
😀
#kindredspirits
#hugs
#hugs
That last sentence – I almost choked!!! !
You’re the Punslinger most definitely Tim 🙂
Thanks for spotlighting a film I likely wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Sounds intriguing.
Thanks! It’s very different but definitely worth a watch 🙂
Nice review Emma. You’re such a reliable blogger of deep excellence.
Oh Vinnie, you do flatter me so! You’re very kind 🙂
I think YOU’RE an excellent blogger, you write brilliantly and you’re a fantastic friend 🙂
And you flatter me also, I’m blushing here.
So you should be!
You are too lovely.
You are 🙂
Cheers Emma.
Don’t you just hate Stephanie?! 😉
YES!!!! Shallow bitch!!
🙂
Looks great, Em. Nice to know you can make something watchable on a micro budget in this day and age.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks Pete! How are you? Enjoying this weird warm weather?! How is Ollie?
Best wishes back 🙂
Em x
I’m OK but Ollie has his skin infection and ear trouble back. Might be this weird weather, but it’s almost a year since he last had it. Perhaps it’s an annual thing.
Take care, Pete. x
That’s odd, poor Ollie! Does he have to have any treatment or does it go away by itself? Sorry to hear that, I’m sending warm get well Ollie wishes!!! x
He has cream, tablets, and shampoo. It goes away eventually, but it’s a hassle for him, and us. x
Well it’s upsetting isn’t it. Never nice to see your pet in discomfort and you can’t even really explain to them why! x
Nice Review, i still have this to watch but been distracted recently
That’s okay, you’re a very busy man! I think you will enjoy this one Darren 🙂