Round About Five

Round About Five is a 2015 British independent film directed by Iain Softley, based on the novel "Avenue de l'Opéra" by Emmanuel Carrère. The movie revolves around two main characters: Thomas, a disheveled and somewhat despicable figure, and a woman known only as The Bike Messenger, whose name and backstory are largely kept under wraps. The title of the film itself, "Round About Five," is likely a reference to the hour of the day when the events of the film unfold. Thomas, desperate to meet his girlfriend, who has been forced to leave the country and is now attempting to re-enter the UK via the Eurostar from Paris, enlists the services of The Bike Messenger. He persuades her to take him on the back of her bike, promising to pay her for her labor. As they begin their journey through the crowded city streets of London, Thomas starts to tell his story, weaving a web of lies and deceit around The Bike Messenger. Thomas claims that he is a middle-class professional, desperate to be reunited with his pregnant girlfriend, who is trying to re-enter the country for medical reasons. However, The Bike Messenger, though naive and somewhat impressionable, senses that there is something not quite right about Thomas's story. She is wary of his intentions and begins to question his motives. As they navigate the narrow lanes and crowded side streets of London, The Bike Messenger finds herself drawn to Thomas's charismatic charm, but at the same time, she is increasingly uneasy about the company she keeps. Her growing unease is further compounded by the fact that she has a complicated past with her own partner, and her current involvement with Thomas has triggered a series of difficult memories and emotions. Meanwhile, Thomas's story begins to unravel as the true nature of his intentions becomes clearer. It transpires that he is not a middle-class professional desperate to be reunited with his girlfriend, but rather a ruthless schemer who has been using The Bike Messenger for his own nefarious purposes. He has been traveling across Europe from one city to another, using women to get him from one place to another, all in his quest for a specific type of passport that would grant its holder unrestricted travel across Europe. As the two continue their journey, The Bike Messenger becomes more and more entrenched in Thomas's web of deceit. They get into increasingly absurd and humorous situations as they navigate the crowded streets of London, with The Bike Messenger often finding herself in embarrassing and comical predicaments. Despite her unease, The Bike Messenger is drawn to Thomas's charismatic charm, and her growing involvement with him triggers a series of complex emotions and self-discoveries. Despite the complexities of the plot, the film is ultimately a story about connection and attachment. The Bike Messenger is drawn to Thomas's charismatic charm, but at the same time, she is wary of his intentions. Thomas, on the other hand, is using The Bike Messenger for his own purposes, but in doing so, he has inadvertently exposed a vulnerable side of himself to her. As they navigate the crowded streets of London, both characters are drawn to the other, despite their initial reluctance. In the end, the events of Round About Five unfold in a complex and often unpredictable manner. As Thomas's story continues to unravel, The Bike Messenger is forced to confront her own feelings and emotions. She must decide whether to continue her involvement with Thomas, despite her growing unease, or to cut their association loose and focus on her own life. The film ends on a complex and often ambiguous note, leaving the viewer to ponder the true nature of attachment and connection in the human experience. Overall, Round About Five is a thought-provoking and often humorous exploration of human connection and attachment. The film takes the viewer on a wild and unpredictable journey, using a complex and intriguing plot to explore the complexities of the human experience. With its witty and engaging storyline, Round About Five is a must-see for fans of independent cinema and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human connection.