Natasha (Olivia Hou) is 14-year-old and likes playing football and talking about it with her best friend Dale (Ethan Anil Mahesan). They look like they have been friends and neighbours for a long time; a code-knock at Dale's window is the signal to meet up and go playing. But now Dale and his family are moving to another town and the two friends will have to part. When asked to join the leaving party, Natasha refuses without a plausible reason, leaving Dale disappointed. Is she rejecting the idea of losing her best mate?
“Kickers” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Directed by Syamsul Bahari under patronage of the Puttnam School of Film and Animation of Singapore, “Kickers” is a delicate snapshot of the process of growing up; it focuses on a small episode in the life of Natasha which can looks insignificant, but in fact, is one of the many steps of the bigger and often painful coming-of-age path.
Natasha's disappointment for the looming loss of her best friend triggers a chain reaction of wrong, defensive behaviours, causing his friends to clam-up and avoid her. Fortunately, Natasha realises that if she has to give this chapter of her youth a decent closure, otherwise she will regret it for a long time. A kind gesture will then reverse the negative course.
The addition of Natasha's father character thread and the commitment the girl has with him, is interesting and contributes to make the storyline more three-dimensional, adding depth and ground to Natasha. However, it would have benefited (compatibly with the short running time) from more than just a hint and from more clarity. Is he a single dad? Are they very close? Is their bond so dear to Natasha as she doesn't want to let go of her childhood?
The screenplay by Gary Neo on Tao Bao Ying's story includes some well written dialogues; they sound mundane, but it is not about what the two friends say but more about what they don't say and the hidden feelings between the lines. The two young actors are refreshingly spontaneous and natural.
The football setting is original as it offers the opportunity to show a girl in an unusual environment, not linked to genre stereotypes and it highlights the honesty of the girl-boy friendship, and Jonathan Yong's naturalistic cinematography, bathed with a discreet light, is appropriate for the two protagonists' delicate moment.
A sweet and sour slice of life, “Kickers” manages to catch a fleeting moment in the life of a growing-up sensitive young woman.
