Edinburgh International Film Festival

The new film Faintheart is a smash, with a sweeping story line that covers almost two millennia. The director, Vito Rocco, was given the opportunity to direct after Myspace users chose him during open competitions online. He took the chance, and ran with it, creating Faintheart. The film is set in the modern day, and the characters are a band of Viking battle re-enactors. Richard (Eddie Marsan) is dedicated to the Viking way of life, but when he misses his father-in-law’s funeral because of a battle, his wife has had enough and leaves him. Torn between the bickering spouses is their son who eventually abandons his father. Richard gives up on the Viking way of life, and on his Viking friends, in an attempt to win back his wife. However, he only discovers further heartache and pain, and realizes in the end that it is best to be himself.
Faintheart is a hilarious film filled with comedic moments that you can’t forget. Richard and his Viking friends are a throwback to Monty Python, but his family brings a bit of reality that everyone can relate to. The movie explores the world of geek-dom, and comes complete with comic books, Captain Kirk signed photos, and a Klingon language sex scene. Myspace users auditioned for the various roles in the film, and even got to vote on which scenes made it into the film and which didn’t. Viewing the finished product, it is entire and whole, and very well made. The only gripe I had was in the opening scenes, when the caption read that William the Conqueror fought the formidable army of Mercia. The Kingdom of Mercia no longer existed when William I conquered England. Perhaps I am the true nerd, but I still give the film four and a half stars.