Like The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey, singer-songwriter Alexandra Burke is new to film-making, but makes the transition look easy. This euphorically gritty south London comedy drama about love, music and cross-dressing showcases that Burke has astounding acting skills.
Discussing writer-director Dionne Edwards’ debut, journalists tend to use words like “investigates” and “black masculinity”, which makes it sound like an MA thesis. Yet the story of aspiring singer Candice (Burke), her ostensibly rough ‘n’ tough boyfriend Travis (West End end veteran Natey Jones, who is just as impressive as Burke), and their tomboyish teenage daughter Kenisha (Temilola Olatunbosun; superb), is anything but dry.
The whole thing, from the get-go, is playfully dirty. Candice clearly enjoys top-dog role play. When she catches a blissed-out Travis wearing her new, tight red dress (bought to help her nail an audition for a swanky Tina Turner musical) she’s furious, hurt and slightly turned on. As for Kenisha, she’s got her own secrets.
There are overlaps with last year’s British indie hit Aftersun. Edwards – like Aftersun’s Charlotte Wells – is a proud lesbian director with a lo-fi, impressionistic style, honouring the passionate dynamic between a misfit dad and his atypical daughter.
What’s ultimately most impressive about Pretty Red Dress, however, is the way Candice – as the quote unquote “normal” member of this family – is neither side-lined nor sanctified. You ache for, and cheer on, everyone in the beleaguered trio.
This is categorically not a vanity project for Burke. Though she does gets to sing and strut her stuff, she’s never more compelling than when an exhausted, make-up free Candice is seen angrily scrunched on the sofa, her confidence smashed.
As for the divine soundtrack, The Shangri-Las’ 1965 bubble-gum pop ballad Out In The Streets is a camp classic, but I’d never heard Game of Love, the Ike and Tina Turner banger used in the closing scene. Candice wails: “I’m going to play/if you play”. Without being on-the-nose, those lyrics fit the witty script to a T.
Pretty Red Dress is also effortlessly topical. Even before Turner’s recent death, love for this R&B icon was in the air (who’s flocking to see shows about macho bully, Ike? That’s right, absolutely sodding no one). Yet, correct me if I’m wrong, misogyny and sexism are as rampant as ever. Edwards and her team aren’t afraid of contradictions; in fact, confusion is what Pretty Red Dress feeds on.
Buttoned-up men should see this movie. The rest of you don’t need to be told. You go, girls!
In cinemas
110mins, cert 15
