The Low Down (2001)

Writer-director Jamie Thraves's feature-film debut follows the day-to-day life of Frank (Aidan Gillen), a single London artist in his late twenties who works as a prop maker along with his quirky friends, Mike (Dean Lennox Kelly) and John (Tobias Menzies). Aware that he needs to jump-start his easygoing life, Frank considers moving out of the flat he shares with his depressed roommate, Terry (Rupert Proctor). While looking for a new place, he meets Ruby (Kate Ashfield), a spritely young real estate agent. As Frank's relationship with Ruby develops, his life, work, and friendships all begin to change.

Focusing more on atmosphere than plot, Thraves's excellent first feature is almost documentarylike in its realism but still allows for strikingly artistic flourishes, evoking the work of filmmakers such as John Cassavetes, François Truffaut, and Jean-Luc Godard. Intentionally ambiguous at times, the film remarkably captures the confusion of postgraduate life. Perfectly cast and well acted, THE LOW DOWN is carried by Gillen's quietly engaging performance. Songs by PJ Harvey and the Human League accompany the subtle cinematic score by Nick Currie (aka Momus) and Fred Thomas.