When online dating first began, it was seen as a great way for likeminded people to meet and fall in love. However, like just about everything created my man, and indeed men, the flaws in the system soon became apparent. Potential new mates relied on a logarithm which was often based on lies and your ‘match’ often became your ‘nightmare’. Even worse, the rise of social media has resulted in a ‘performative’ culture. Although sometimes, as Fresh attests, your date can simply be good enough to eat.
Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) has had it up to here with dating apps. In spite of her best attempts, it seems to be one loser after another. She wishes people could just meet in real life again. Enter the charming and awkward Steve (Sebastian Stan) in the grocery aisle of the local supermarket. They agree to meet up for a drink and sparks fly. So much so that when he offers to take her away for the weekend she jumps at the chance. Much to the chagrin of her best friend Millie (Jonica T. Gibbs). His tastes turn out to be a little hard to chew.
Fresh channels many of the anxieties and fears of modern dating to create a film which you can get your teeth into. Mimi Cave’s feature debut has all the hallmarks of becoming a cult feast. It’s beautifully made and shot, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for the viewer to follow. Indeed, the style she’d honed making music videos is on full show here. While Edgar-Jones will recieve lots of plaudits it’s the charismatic Stan who makes Fresh such a filling meal.
Fresh screens at Sundance Film Festival.
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