Having secured attention as a pioneering, low-budget digital feature, One Life Stand proves to be equally noteworthy for the sombre precision of its black and white camerawork and its mature handling of complex emotional issues. It establishes May Miles Thomas as a filmmaker of world class distinction.
The human element at the centre of the story is sharply enough drawn to have a universal appeal and the film has the potential to connect with European arthouse audiences and beyond.
Thomas uses her camera with restraint and edits with great fluidity to create a sense of pace and narrative momentum without moving the camera itself. She captures little moments of time and brings them to life with richly textured performances. Maureen Carr is outstanding as indomitable single mother Trise. A poignant tale, told with gentle humour and considerable understatement, One Life Stand is filled with compassion and insight.