Color, R (mature themes, sexual situations, language), 94 min., DVD $24.95, VHS $39.95
DVD: no extras
Street: Dec. 28, Prebook: Nov. 30
First Run: Video premiere
Cast: Wil Johnson (Babymother), Leon Herbert (Nine Dead Gay Guys), Jacqueline De Peza, Daniela Lavendar (Ali G Indahouse)
Director: Leon Herbert
MONARCH
After Mary (Lavendar) leaves her boyfriend, John (Johnson), to find herself, he turns to his best friend, Steve (Herbert), to help him win her back and regain his dignity. But Mary and her friend Jane (De Peza) are playing an equally manipulative game against the men. It's a shame that this rare entry in the world of black, British independent cinema doesn't fulfill its initial promise. The film's male characters use the game of backgammon as a metaphor for the game of love, which would be clever if it were not so overused, with constant references and close-ups of a backgammon board. Still, it's interesting to see a modern (and decidedly bitter) take on the battle of the sexes and how men and women really do play each other, using what they can to their advantage in the hope of gaining what they want. But judging by the over-the-top drama of this film's unhappy ending, viewers should use it as a warning and not as a guide in their own love lives. Most definitely not a comedy, Emotional Backgammon should be pitched to those who are interested as a British version of Two Can Play That Game. --Mayna Bergmann