From the opening scenes there is an intriguing, if at times frustrating, ambiguity to Robert Logevall’s feature The Grand Son. In essence it tells the story of a desperate young man struggling to maintain a faltering lifestyle after a fatal accident, but the film teases its audience with deeper, darker subtext without ever truly following through.

Tod (Wakefield) is a young man whose (mildly) decadent Hollywood lifestyle, and that of his sister Halle (Campbell), exists entirely due to the failing success of his grandmother Judy (Warren). With Judy about to lose her celebrity, and the family forced to relinquish their plush mansion for lesser accommodation, relationships are fraught and fuelled by with suspicion and mistrust. Until, in what appears to be an accident, Tod kills Judy. A slight spoiler this may be, but it occurs in the first act and sets the tone for what remains.

For now, the ambiguity comes to the fore. The relationships between the central three characters are never fully explained, although hints and subtle nudges lead the audience to various accurate or inaccurate conclusions. It is implied Judy is not the maternal grandmother, the connection between Tod and Halle wavers from mistrust and resentment to a strange and mildly incestuous connection. Peripheral characters, from Halle’s friend to a studio executive played by Sarah Clarke, are toyed with like pawns in the siblings lives rather than fleshed out characters. Elsewhere this could nod to a lack of depth but here adds further to that ambiguity. While some characters’ intentions may appear obvious, you find yourself guarded against assumption and constantly on the lookout for true motivation.

The only constant driver appears to be sex, with every character emotionally charged either through lustful action or fantasy. How much this plays into the central plot is open to interpretation, but if nothing else it clouds an already mysterious narrative.

There are times when the director’s subterfuge and determined vagaries become a little trying. The film is often very dark, making some scenes confusing through their lack of real light rather than in a metaphorical sense. The dialogue is occasionally difficult to understand, and while this again may be a tool, it does force you out of the film somewhat. This all adds to that sense of frustration. Entering the final act, you feel you’ve paid your dues and indulged Logevall’s enjoyable toying, and will likely believe you’ve earned a little resolution. Whether you receive this will depend on how involved with the film you are, and how much you’ve invested in the characters.

THE GRAND SON / DIRECTOR: ROBERT LOGEVALL / SCREENPLAY: ABRAM MAKOWKA / STARRING: RHYS WAKEFIELD, LESLEY ANN WARREN, SARAH CLARKE / CERT: TBC / RELEASE DATE: TBC