Inspired by Mike Figgis' Timecode, writer-director Duncan Roy takes a segmented-frame approach to his feature debut, turning the screen into a moving triptych to play out his story from different angles. Trouble is, the action on offer isn't worth capturing in one frame, let alone three.
Based on a true story and set in 1979 (though you wouldn't know it), AKA follows closeted teen Dean (Matthew Leitch) as he ditches suburban torment for a merrier life masquerading as a gallery-owning aristo's son. Surrounding Leitch's bland centre is a risible parade of working-class, gay and upper-class-twit stereotypes.
The novelty of the tripartite frame rapidly wears thin, becoming a superficial distraction from the meandering plot and rum dialogue ("Do you think I enjoy being me?"). On the plus side, there's an okay performance from ex-EastEnders star Lindsey Coulson as Dean's mum - but her appearances only remind the audience that they should have saved their pennies and stayed in with the soaps.
