Cashback

In the poignant and whimsical British romantic comedy-drama "Cashback," Ben Willis, played by Sean Biggerstaff, is a young man going through the throes of a recent break-up. His world is turned upside down, and his once vibrant personality is now shrouded in sadness and frustration. In an effort to cope with the overwhelming emotions and to fill the void left by the absence of his ex, Ben begins to experience severe bouts of insomnia. This debilitating sleep disorder torments him, keeping him awake through the long, dark nights. Feeling desperate and lost, Ben decides to take a job at a local supermarket, which is conveniently open late. He starts working the graveyard shift, a period where the store is eerily quiet and the fluorescent lights above seem to hum an unsettling melody. It is during these late-night hours that Ben's imagination starts to run wild, and his artistic side begins to emerge. He becomes fascinated with the frozen food display, the neatly stacked boxes of frozen pizza, and the colorful array of fruits and vegetables. This supermarket becomes a muse, inspiring Ben to draw the beauty he sees in the mundane. As the nights go by, Ben's passion for drawing intensifies, and his artwork begins to flourish. He starts to see the world in a different light, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the beauty of the everyday is revealed. However, his newfound creativity is not just confined to paper and pencil; his late-night strolls around the store begin to take on a surreal quality, where the supermarket aisles transform into a world of their own. Ben's perception of time and space becomes distorted, and the boundaries between reality and fantasy start to blur. Ben's growing attachment to the supermarket is also mirrored in his relationships. He starts to form connections with the other employees, particularly Sharon, a fellow worker who becomes his confidant and potential love interest. Played by Emilia Fox, Sharon is a vibrant and charismatic individual who is not afraid to speak her mind. As Ben spends more time with her, he finds solace in her company, and his feelings for her start to evolve. Their bond is rooted in their mutual understanding of the struggles of working late-night shifts and the sense of camaraderie that comes with it. Meanwhile, Ben's parents, played by Wendy Nottingham and Shaun Dingwall, provide a contrast to the vibrant world of the supermarket. They are depicted as a middle-class couple who value stability and conventionality. His mother is overly concerned about Ben's well-being, while his father seems dismissive of his son's creative pursuits. Their expectations and values are at odds with Ben's artistic ambitions, creating tension within the family. As Ben's love for Sharon grows, so does his passion for drawing. He begins to see the world through her eyes, and his artwork becomes a reflection of their time together. His paintings take on a new level of depth and emotion, capturing the essence of their connection. However, Ben's desire to capture the beauty of the supermarket and his relationship with Sharon also leads to a sense of longing and melancholy. He knows that his time in the store is limited, and he must eventually face the reality of his break-up and the uncertain future. "Cashback" is a poignant and visually stunning film that explores the complexities of relationships, the power of creativity, and the human desire to find meaning in the mundane. Directed by Sean Ellis, a British filmmaker known for his visually striking style, the film is a testament to the beauty of the everyday and the transformative power of art. With a talented cast, including Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Fox, and Shaun Dingwall, "Cashback" is a movie that will capture your heart and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.