The Drummer and the Keeper

This is a not supposed to be hard-edged realism, but there are limits to how much wishful thinking we'll allow. An accomplished work nonetheless.

Kelly is fearless in the way he tackles mental illness and his command of comic tone is strong, making this film anything but the traumatic experience it may appear on paper and more like a gentle romcom between two odd and lonely souls.

A better, more daring film would follow these misfits to whatever unlikely, dark place their natures led them. Kelly instead opts for a contrived happy ending, and while the film goes down easy, it could have had more actual substance.

Murphy and McCarthy are pretty good throughout, but they can't nail the big speeches they're given towards the end, which only makes the unoriginal writing that much more conspicuous.

The Drummer and the Keeper heralds the arrival of a very impressive new talent. We are already looking forward to what Nick [Kelly] will do next.

Definitely a keeper.

This warm, thoughtful and insightful film marks Kelly as one to watch.