A Bump Along the Way (Shelly Love, 2019): UK

Reviewed by Cate Herrell. Viewed at Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2020.

To start off the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, A Bump Along the Way (directed by Shelly Love) was played for an audience of many in the Arlington Theatre. I did not know anything about this film going into the screening, but I knew the festival would never let me down. Bronagh Gallager, the lead actress, was there to send us well wishes before viewing her film which I thought was a super cute touch. As the lights dimmed, all I could feel was excitement as I could already tell this film would have a sweet charm to it. 

The story follows Pamela, a 40 something year old single mother, who is navigating her way through an unexpected, and somewhat foolish, pregnancy. Her teenage daughter Allegra (Lola Petticrew), in the meantime, navigates her way through the hardships that arise while coming of age. The relationship between Pam and Allegra is tested throughout the film, ultimately strengthened once they both stand up for themselves in their personal lives. The bumps along the way slow them down enough to reevaluate their true goals, and eventually lead them to overcoming the hard times. The tensions of parenthood, managing independence, and evaluating self-worth are all present themes that stand out during viewership. Love and her team provide an exceptionally believable look into a transformational chapter in both Pamela and Allegra’s lives.

A Bump Along the Way stands out to me because of its believably, dialogue, and acting. I think the supporting characters, such as Pam’s coworker and her friend Sinead, and witty dialogue were the true glue holding this film together. Scenes where Pam avoids being seen by her one night fling, also the father of her baby, are comical and relatable. Sometimes the camera would linger seconds after a heavy dialogue, and I could feel the emotions Pam and Allegra were experiencing. Something also very noteworthy is the costumes that each character wore. Allegra, a schoolgirl, styled with a stroke of innocence she wasn’t sure she should keep. Pam showcasing some loud clothing and fun prints to reflect her party side, and flowing, floral throws later on to show her growing maturity. I appreciate the attention to detail with this film, and while it may be slow-paced for some, it is definitely not lacking at delivering its meaning. 

I was satisfied with this film, and I think starting off the festival with a movie so universal with its content was a smart way to go. The bond between mothers and their daughters can sometimes come with many complications, and the fact that this story felt plausible made its message of growing up stand out even more. This movie may be worth a watch if you like slow-paced drama-dies, and if you are a sucker for happy endings. Opening night at the film festival was, in my humble opinion, a success!