The Toll (2021 film)
The Toll | |
---|---|
Directed by | Ryan Andrew Hooper |
Written by | Matt Redd |
Produced by | Mark Hopkins |
Starring | Michael Smiley Annes Elwy Iwan Rheon Paul Kaye |
Cinematography | Adrian Peckitt |
Edited by | John Richards Ben Unwin |
Music by | Rael Jones |
Production company | Western Edge Pictures |
Distributed by | Signature Entertainment (UK) Samuel Goldwyn Films (US) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Languages | English Welsh |
The Toll, released in the US with the title Tollbooth, is a 2021 Welsh black comedy film directed by Ryan Andrew Hooper and written by Matt Redd. The film stars Michael Smiley, Annes Elwy, Iwan Rheon and Paul Kaye. It premiered at the Official Selection of the 2021 Glasgow Film Festival.[1]
Plot
In Pembrokeshire, a man working solo shifts in the quietest toll booth in Wales, hides from a criminal past where nobody would ever look. As his past actions catch up with him and his peace is shattered, he enlists the help of local ne’er-do-wells and oddballs (including a female Elvis impersonator, rampaging triplets and disgruntled sheep farmers) when local police officer Catrin grows increasingly suspicious.
Cast
- Michael Smiley as Toll Booth
- Annes Elwy as Catrin
- Iwan Rheon as Dom
- Paul Kaye as Cliff
- Gary Beadle as Elton
- Steve Oram as Mr Henry
- Evelyn Mok as Dixie
- Darren Evans as Tab
- Gwyneth Keyworth as The Triplets
- Dewi Pws Morris as Pops
- Julian Glover as Magnus
- Sarah Breese as Frankie
- Ioan Hefin as Morgan Farm
- Hefin Rees as Gwyn
- Martyn Stallard as Daffodil
- Dean Rehman as Victor
- Dan Renton Skinner as Desk Sergeant Simon
- Carys Eleri as Betty
Production
On 6 December 2016, it was announced that
Release
On 9 July 2021,
On 11 July 2021, it was announced that Great Point Media had sold rights for the film's release in the UK, US, Australia/New Zealand and France.[8]
On 25 August 2021, while promoting the UK release of the film, Iwan Rheon appeared in a "car crash" interview on
On 25 January 2022,
Reception
On 20 October 2021, The Hollywood Reporter announced that screenwriter Matt Redd had been long-listed for Best Debut Screenwriter by the British Independent Film Awards for his script.[10] The film was also long-listed for the Discovery award (for independent UK titles with a budget under £500,000) by BIFA.[11]
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 86% approval rating based on 22 reviews.[12]
Writing in The Guardian, critic Cath Clarke awarded the film three stars and described it as "an entertaining black comedy.[13]
Tom Shone of Sunday Times also awarded the film three out of five, saying "it has the right sort of wit and mordancy, along with a core of seriousness."[14]
There was another three star review from Matt Glasby in the Radio Times, who said the film "plays like a stylishly shot sitcom, with good gags about thorny UK relationships and a strong supporting cast including Paul "Dennis Pennis" Kaye."[15]
Owen Richards of The Arts Desk gave the film a four star review, saying "Ryan Andrew Hooper's debut feature is perfect for film aficionados looking for a light bite of entertainment. Eighty-three minutes of swearing, gore and just enough twists to keep you on your toes."[16]
References
- ^ "Glasgow Film Festival Announces 2021 Programme". Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- Screen Daily. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "'Dai Spielberg' charms RSC star Simon Russell Beale into Welsh film appearance". The Times. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "Welsh Stories, Welsh Talents: What's Next for Welsh Film?". The Welsh Agenda. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- Screen Daily. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "The Toll: Michael Smiley Hides Out In The Wild West Of Wales In Crime Movie – Exclusive Trailer". Empire. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "Darkly-Comic Thriller THE TOLL Release Details Revealed!". 8 July 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- Screen Daily. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive Tollbooth Trailer Starring Michael Smiley". Comingsoon.net. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "British Independent Film Awards 2021 New Talent Longlists Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- Screen Daily. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ "The Toll (2022)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
- ^ Clarke, Cath (27 August 2021). "The Toll review – toll booth man with no name fights back in jokey Welsh western". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Shone, Tom (29 August 2021). "Five new films for this weekend: Jazz on a Summer's Day, The Nest and more". Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Glasby, Matt (12 August 2021). "The Toll". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
- ^ Richards, Owen (30 August 2021). "The Toll review - once upon a time in west Wales". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
External links
- The Toll at IMDb