Gold strikes me as a film that could have went to edgy, risk filled places but decided against it. I didn’t come home praising it from the rooftops, but it is a film that would pass the evening.

But would I pay to see it in the cinema? I did, and my advice to you is to wait for it to arrive on Television or come out on Netflix. For me, it’s definitely for a rainy day or a cozy winter night with the fire on. It won’t change your life greatly.

The story follows a troubled Dad-of-one (David Wilmot) that that shows up out of the blue, after being estranged for 12 years; an absence beginning after he attempted to take his own life and his wife leaving him.

His wife(Kerry Condon, This Must Be The Place) is now with his narcissistic Gym teacher (James Nesbitt) – who some put down to being the case of his suicide attempt. He has the family operating with clockwork precision and his stepdaughter (Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones) running like a pro.

Williams’ accent was mostly strong, but faded in places, notably the emotionally charged ones. This leads me to the question – Is the star power really that essential to the film? Could not a young Irish actor have played the role equally as good with a sustained accent?

James Nesbitt’s performance really raised the game of this film, and was so off-the-wall and wacky it worked. I think he is the only Irish actor that has the ability to pull the part off.

The film flaunts an aesthetic reminiscent of america’s pacific northwest in the 90s for reasons I’m not quite sure of. The abundance of pine trees, mist and opinionated teenagers makes it feel like a twilight movie. Not to mention all of the plaid and corduroy.

There are a few dark moments, thrown in with a few belly laughs but it is flat to a large extent and will not stick out in my memory. It just didn’t pluck my heartstrings no matter how it tried.

There were risks that could have been taken in this film, but it subtly ducked and dived away from them. I think the whole ‘suicide’ aspect of the film was dealt with well – Satirising the stigma behind the issue, doling the negative aspects of society’s attitude towards it to James Nesbitt’s uncool step-dad character.

I would give this film a 6 out of 10 for effort, and that it’s worth a watch. Just don’t feel too bad if you don’t get to see it.