Review: ‘I, Anna’

This stylish debut from director Barnaby Southcombe stars his mother, Charlotte Rampling, as divorced mother Anna Welles. Since her divorce she’s been living a comfortable, if staid middle-class life in London. When her daughter encourages her to try singles events to meet men, she does.

It’s at one of these events she meets flamboyant and wealthy George Stone – and goes home with him.

Detective Bernie Reid (Gabriel Bryne) is called to the scene of a vicious murder. George is dead, and it’s clear Anna had something to do with it…but what? Having seen Anna leaving the area, Bernie tracks her down at another singles party and their attraction is instant.

As the pair become more intimately involved, and the clues point more and more insistently toward Anna being a suspect in George’s murder, Bernie finds himself compromised. Anna initially seems to have no memory of the events but as time goes on, fragmented recollections return. Bernie and Anna begin to piece together what happened that night; while Bernie tries to figure out what else Anna might be hiding.

Essentially a modern film noir, this film is drenched in atmosphere and features many recognisable motifs. London, as shot by Ben Smithard, is coldly beautiful and as much a character in this piece as Rampling and Byrne. The production design is striking, but never overshadows the storytelling or the performances.

Moody, unsettling and stylish, this is one to sink your teeth into.

7/10