Directed by Bradley Charlton, Fading Petals finds a young woman (played by Charlotte Reidie) arrive at the house of an older woman (played by Melanie Revill) to assist her. As the two women bond, secrets are revealed that simmer tension to a boiling point. As the situation spirals out of control, an explosive finale lies awaiting.
Anchored by fantastic performances and a hypnotic visual flair, Fading Petals explores the relationship between two vulnerable women perfectly. Charlton explores the narrative with a deft hand, ensuring exposition is kept to a bare minimum as the audience is nudged to discover the underlying truths. Patience is key to this slow burn drama as the 94 minute runtime never feels like a minute too long. One of the film's greatest strengths is how hauntingly beautiful it looks and sounds, the cinematographer and sound editors having done a fantastic job in this regard. The lingering shots of the main characters' faces amplifies the agony whilst providing the actors ample space to showcase the depth of their talents.
A deftly made drama that hits all the right notes, Fading Petals is nothing short of a strong debut by filmmaker Bradley Charlton.
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