BLURRED LINES: Letterboxd Reviews (select)
darrenscott ⭐⭐⭐⭐: "The aptly-titled 'Blurred Lines' explores the inner turmoils faced by a director (played with delicate perfection by Miranda Benjamin) when carefully laid plans are derailed by the actions of her lead actors...Whilst there have been many documentaries about the making of films, there's precious little visualisation about what is feels like for the director during that process. I can think of Tom DiCillo's 'Living in Oblivion', and that scene in 'Babylon' which still gives me PTSD everytime I watch it...Mark Duggan was set to start production on his 2nd feature film. When issues with his lead actors derailed the filming, he decided to use the locations, crew and actors he had available within the shoot time to document this whole episode. The result is a sort of meta - part film/part documentary masterpiece - a very honest appraisal of the emotional toll of the preparation, the planning, and the costs - not just fiscal, but also the impact it has on the relationships with partners and family. Most of all, however, he somehow gets across the fact that for true artists of any medium, creating art - and in his case, making films - is a compulsion. It's never something you do - it's always something you have to do in order to make sense of the world...This isn't a film you can review, because it's a film you need to experience without the prejudice of anyone's elses' words. The writing, editing and sound design in particular are sublime for a film that was quickly assembled - almost defying some of the premis of the film - but coupled with exquisitely delivered performances of his cast, take this film to another level...The life of a filmmaker is a blurred line between how we perceive the world in our minds and how we portray our art on the screen - and this film crawled into my head, stayed there and currently refuses to leave."
jquintero92 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: "Duggan’s ability to distil the human condition to its barest and most vulnerable form is ubiquitous throughout all his work. My first foray into his back catalogue was experiencing the strikingly poignant short, ‘Step’, where he displayed a brazen and unapologetic reflection of a particularly complicated and delicate subject matter. He maintains this unflinching rawness through all his work. ‘Blurred Lines’ is no exception. Duggan is at his best when he is holding a mirror up to lived experience. I’ve seen many established filmmakers attempt to capture a reality that is fluid, vulnerable and ultimately believable, and unfortunately they very often end up doing the exact opposite. Duggan does not. His attention to detail and conscientious approach to his work (something that is aptly on display throughout this piece), really pays dividends here. Duggan builds scenes that necessitate actors to be as prepared as possible, it is no doubt the subject matter of this film has had such a profound impact to demand a film...The rehearsal scenes are a stand out for me. The dynamic between the lead, Martine (Miranda Benjamin) and the actor, Ricky (David Barden) are tangibly awkward. Often I’m left squirming in my seat listening to atrocious dialogue, the only thing that left me squirming here was the gruellingly cringeworthy retorts Ricky had in his unashamedly attempt to gaslight Martine. When scenes are delicately choreographed and dialogue between actors is tight, delivered with intention, scenes shine and this is definitely the case here. I think these highly-strung scenes also help the pacing of the film. There are sections where Duggan justifiably has to slow the pace of the film down to articulate the tumult of trauma, however the structure of the piece allows the film to remain engaging and underscore these important sections...I look forward to more from this director. His approach to filmmaking is a dying breed and we should cherish any attempt to preserve this honest approach to creating art."
samliddell7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I watched this film a few days ago and I can’t stop thinking about it, it feels as if it is speaking directly to me. It’s personal and authentic with a great story and pacing that makes the runtime fly by. The acting is wonderful and there are sequences which are so cleverly executed...It strips out all the unnecessary filmmaking fluff and forces you to focus on character and theme. The ending is poignant and relatable...It’s what I love about independent filmmaking. It’s a sole voice shining through and you can see all of the effort on screen."
m28reef ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: "A film that doesn’t tiptoe, sugar-coat or wrap its message in bubble wrap, and thank God for that. This feature delivers a cold slap of reality with dialogue like: “No wonder they’re being called snowflakes, they act as if everyone owes them something… you’ll never learn about life if you’re never told no.” Finally, a film that says the quiet part out loud. I caught myself nodding along like I was in a TED Talk 😅 What I love most is that Blurred Lines dares to say what most filmmakers wouldn’t, highlighting the painfully real struggles independent film makers face today…If you’re looking for a film that’ll teach you something, make you wince in agreement, and potentially lose a few followers for quoting it, this is your ticket. Legend Mark!"
liz_lowndes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: "A film that doesn’t shy away from showing the tough side of the glamorised film industry...It had a great balance between humour, seriousness and warmth. The personal elements in the film just proved how important it is in creating emotional impact. Give it a watch!"
tamiaslexler ⭐⭐⭐⭐: "A great Indie flick that brings nuance and inspiration. Filled with delightful cinematography, some great performances, an interesting story this is a film that provides you with something fresh.
Despite some scenes dragging at times they are only mere slivers of lack of attention, compared to the rest being a great engaging watch...Looking forward to the next."
rupert2566 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: "The 2nd feature film from Mark Duggan, and I enjoyed this nearly as much as the first, “X” is Mark’s “Definitely Maybe” imo...It’s clear the subject matter was close to the writers heart and this makes the story believable, compelling and dare I say it real ! Anyone with even a passing interest in the acting industry will recognise many of the threads Duggan weaves through the 2 and a bit hours of runtime. I particularly liked the lead actress being more concerned with broadcasting her latest casting on social media than actually ensuring she did a decent job in the now. I would imagine this happens a lot. Yes this is clearly a story that the writer felt compelled to tell, and yes he has made no attempt to hide it. As the man say’s …'It’s personal but they need to know'."
free3 ⭐⭐⭐⭐: "Many Letterboxd reviews of this film veer off course, focusing not on its cinematic merits but on personal experiences with the director. While personal context can inform perspective, reviews should remain rooted in the film’s craft—its narrative, performances, cinematography, and direction. Dragging in off-screen grievances, especially without clarifying their impact on the critique, blurs the lines (mind the pun) between objective analysis and personal vendetta. These tangents not only distract from the work itself but dilute the credibility of the review. If someone has issues with the director as a person, those concerns belong in a separate conversation—not disguised as film criticism...As for the film itself, the protagonist’s repeated frustration over her actors not learning their lines—punctuated by her ‘paid actors’ promises, “I will have them learnt by the day that we shoot”—initially feels excessive, but ultimately reveals her inner turmoil. Her need for control, especially over a project she's funding herself, reflects both her dedication and desperation for validation. This obsessive focus, while at times, melodramatic and self-obsessed, serves a clear narrative function: it mirrors her emotional rigidity and growing disconnect from what truly matters (which is explained in the 3rd act). Through interactions with others and evolving self-awareness, the character gradually learns to let go. In the end, the film uses this repetition not just to underline her professional standards, but to map her transformation—highlighting the cost of perfectionism and the value of personal connection...It serves a larger purpose. By highlighting the character's fixation on something so trivial to many, in the grand scheme of life, the film subtly reveals her growing realisation that her once-unquestioned priorities are shifting. The constant validation through conversations with other characters only deepens her detachment from what truly matters—family, relationships, and the passage of time. While her annoyance at the actors is exaggerated, it’s also justified within the context of her character's journey. She has a right to be frustrated by their unprofessionalism, but her overblown reaction underscores the central theme: a self-absorbed pursuit of perfection that ultimately proves hollow. The excessiveness of this frustration is a poignant tool in her eventual epiphany about what really deserves her time and attention (family and friends)...This choice to include her monotonous dismay at her actors inability to be bothered to learn something so simple as learning lines says a lot about what we all think. The decision to linger on her repeated dismay at her actors unwillingness to learn their lines speaks volumes — not just about her pursuit of perfection, but about a universal frustration: the personal anger we feel when others don’t match our devotion or drive.
The film’s third act reveals a quiet evolution in the protagonist — a reflection of lessons absorbed and a softening of once rigid ideals. This, arguably, is the film’s very purpose: to explore how obsession gives way to perspective. It’s a nuance seemingly overlooked by some reviewers, whose personal grievances with the director may have clouded their reading of the work itself."
dcl12: "Really enjoyed this film, as I did X. Duggan has a way of making the deeply personal resonate with a wider audience...The dynamic between Martine and Ricky/Olivia is painfully awkward, frustrating, and compelling. Ricky’s constant excuses and refusal to engage with the real issue felt very true to life. Olivia’s entitlement, and her focus on broadcasting her position rather than just getting on with the job, also rang uncomfortably familiar. We’ve all been there — dealing with someone where there’s a clear disconnect between what’s said and what’s actually done (pretty prevalent in both filmmaking and education at least)...The film taps into something widespread in working life; people are spending more and more time talking about what they do, trying to prove value through curated presentation, instead of just quietly getting on and doing the job at hand. It can be destructive as ultimately other people end up picking up the pieces of a job half arsed, something the film captures perfectly...The film also gives pause for thought about what motivates happiness, and how that’s grounded in genuine connection with others, not filtered through a screen...A sharp, honest film that says a lot without shouting."