Written and directed by Sara Harrak, co-written by Jadey Duffield and Meg Salter, as ‘Solers United’ face financial uncertainty, tensions mount between longtime friends Nelly and Bills. The addition of newcomer Sals further complicates matters, as Bills can’t help but envy her instant connection to Nelly. Starring: Hannah Onslow, Leah Harvey, Laura Checkley, Anna Demetriou, Suzi Ruffell, Homer Todiwala, Fatumina Saïd Abukar, Poppy Snow and Bella Speaight.
Diving into Solers United, it immediately has a very light, fun atmosphere. The tone is very family friendly, there’s a sweetness and big-hearted nature. That’s then all wrapped up in a classically lesbian vibe which a great match for those qualities with some insecurities and awkwardness thrown in. Especially when matched with Sara Harrak’s direction and Chaimaa Ormazábal’s cinematography, there’s a vibrancy to their style, a youthful excitement and a bubbly personality.
All of that makes Solers United inherently charming, which is then paired really well with the casting. It’s a great ensemble who embody that team feel, the camaraderie and connections, as well as the quintessential banter that goes along with any sports team. The unspoken chemistry between Leah Harvey’s Bills and Anna Demetriou’s Nelly is very wholesome and adorable. They wander into some classic rom-com ground with a will they, won’t they? And who’ll make the first move? It’s nicely familiar but feels as though it doesn’t play out in the most satisfying manner.
There’s something to it that feels teen-centric which holds it back, having a simplicity and its progression spending too much time in the middle ground, which ultimately makes things feel slightly unresolved. It’s also a shame not to see it spend more time on the football side of things, it feels secondary like it’s setting up the story but not getting entirely involved. Although the addition of the commentators was a nice choice to up the comedy and push a competitive edge, as it can occasionally wander into sentimental territory.
Solers United is a sweet tale of young love and all of its pitfalls and heartaches. It’s full of colour and energy within a wholesome atmosphere but it can feel like the tone is hitting a little too young. It’s walking over some familiar ground which has its advantages and disadvantages, and it feels like the plot needed to progress further to round out the experience more satisfyingly. It would have been great to see a bit more actual play woven into the short as well but there’s a great cast at work, it’s charming and entertaining.
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