That Sinking Feeling (BFI Flipside) [1980] (DVD + Blu-ray)

BFI Flipside presents THAT SINKING FEELING (DVD + Blu-ray) A Film by Bill Forsyth

THE FLIPSIDE: A series dedicated to rescuing weird and wonderful British films from obscurity and presenting them in new high-quality editions.

Unemployed teenager Ronnie (Robert Buchanan, Gregory's Girl) and his hapless pals spend their time aimlessly wandering the rainy parks and dingy cafes of Glasgow. But their world is about to change when Ronnie hatches a plan to make them all rich by sealing a job-lot of stainless steel sinks.

Hilarious and inventive, this zero-budget debut from celebrated director Bill Forsyth (Gregory's Girl, Local Hero, Comfort and Joy) provides an authentic depiction of 1970s Glasgow youth culture. The film is presented here for the first time in a new HD transfer, complete with the original Glaswegian dialogue track.

Ronnie and his friends, including the hapless Charlie (John G. Connolly) and the eccentric Wal (Tommy Flanagan), are typical working-class teenagers with little prospect of employment. They while away their days in the city's parks and cafes, engaging in petty theft and other small-time criminal activities to pass the time.

However, Ronnie stumbles upon an opportunity that could change their fortunes. He discovers a large stockpile of stainless steel sinks, and devises a plan to steal and sell them, believing it will make them all rich. The friends embark on a series of comical and increasingly chaotic attempts to pull off the heist, leading them through the gritty, rain-soaked streets of Glasgow.

Forsyth's distinctive directorial style, marked by a keen eye for the absurd and a compassionate understanding of his characters, shines through in this early work. The film's low-budget aesthetic and authentic Glaswegian dialogue lend an air of realism to the proceedings, while the director's trademark humor and warmth elevate the material beyond mere social realism.

That Sinking Feeling is a delightful and enduring snapshot of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the lives of working-class youths grasping for a way out of their mundane existence. Forsyth's keen observation of human behavior and his ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary make this film a true gem of British cinema.

Special Features: [Details to be confirmed]

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