The Script
What inspired the film?
The key inspiration was always Somers Town by Shane Meadows. Effie had always wanted to explore the realism that is featured so beautifully in Somers Town, and to do this she decided to focus on a pair of characters and the development of their relationship.
The initial ideas were revolved around a photographer taking a photo of something that they shouldn't have. This then evolved into a son taking a photo that would get his father into trouble, however, as this plot developed it got more complicated and Effie always wanted the plot to be simple and carried by an excellent connection between two characters. The father and son dynamic seemed interesting. Family in prison was something both Effie and Esme could relate to, and they felt it would be interesting to look at it from the families' side, rather than the convict's.
Why Herne Bay?
The story had been imagined by both Esme and Effie as being set in a drab seaside town. Cinematography was important for the film as the script was somewhat limited in dialogue. To have the sights and sounds of the seaside that are usually associated with Summer and family, be a backdrop to a depressed ex-alcoholic father who can't emotionally connect to his son seemed like a good idea.
In the middle of pre-production, Esme and Effie spent a day travelling along the Kent coast, visiting towns that they had seen on Google Maps. This included Sheerness-on-Sea, Whitstable, and Herne Bay. Sheerness was too drab, Whitstable was too nice, but Herne Bay was just right.
Why is this an important story to tell?
Parolees are often portrayed as wanting their 'original' life back- the job, the family, the partner. However, it's not often that the affect on the family is addressed In reality, the family and the partner aren't waiting with open arms to welcome them back home.
In the case of Martin, he hasn't realised that during the time he was in prison, life moved on without him. His son who was a 16 year old boy in college is now a 21 year old adult with his own flat and responsibilities. Rob is the physical representation of what Martin has missed. Although much of the film follows Martin, it's really about how Martin's actions stop Rob from being able to move on and how much Martin is really holding Rob back from even being able to spend time with him.
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