"“Kieran Evans' debut feature film makes for rather uncomfortable viewing...”"

As you'll see from the title of this feature, this is not Kelly and Victor, but Kelly + Victor, which insinuates somewhat that this is more of an equation than a mere coupling, given the use of the plus symbol. So, what does happen if you add Kelly and Victor together? A devastatingly, affecting movie, that's what.

Kelly (Antonia Campbell-Hughes) meets Victor (Julian Morris) on the dance floor of a Liverpool night club on the latter's birthday – and instantly the pair appear to bond, and before they know it they're back at Kelly's flat, making intense love as Victor is subjected to submissive, almost violent intercourse for the first time. Uncomfortable at first, Victor finds he can't shake Kelly from his mind, and eventually the pair start dating.

As the sex grows more intense, as does their relationship as they seem to fulfil needs in one another that had since been left untouched. However, Kelly's quite difficult past – with both her mother and ex-boyfriend – pushes her to the limit sexually, and Victor struggles to decide if he is completely ready for this type of aggressive, physical relationship.

Kieran Evans' debut feature film makes for rather uncomfortable viewing, in a dramatic, tense adaptation of Niall Griffiths acclaimed novel. Evans has implemented various provocative images and sounds, as everything comes together to ensure the audience find this film as difficult to watch as possible. From the noise of Victor dragging metal along the ground at his workplace, to the close-up visuals of blood soaked cotton wool - this is not an easy film to enjoy. Which, in fairness, is a credit to Evans, as there is no denying he has created an emotive, affective production.

The lead two performances from both Campbell-Hughes and Morris respectively, are very impressive and extremely brave. There are various scenes of them both completely naked, partaking in sadomasochistic intercourse, as a film that I'm sure both parties will attempt to avoid their parents ever seeing. You don't really feel that there is any chemistry between the lead two, which although often a deterrent in a romantic tale, does actually seem to work in this instance, as in a sense they aren't really supposed to have a chemistry as such. This isn't a romantic love with flowers and cuddles – these are two lost souls that simply need someone else in their life. Their joining together is animalistic, you don't feel they are together for who the other person is, but more because the other person is in the exact same boat as they are.

On a more negative note, however, the ending is frustrating, almost resolving the story too succinctly. Too melodramatic and predictable, a more ambiguous finale in this instance seems to be more fitting. Another issue within the story is how we deviate away from the simplistic premise, delving into superfluous sub-stories. However, you can't really criticise Evans in that department, as this story is based on a novel, after all.

Nonetheless, this is an emotive picture, and certainly a promising debut for Evans. It looks good, is well-constructed and the two lead performances are striking. Having been involved in the industry for a number of years now, it's taken a while for Evans to finally release his first feature – but I for one am already looking forward to what he does next.