The Captain – British Independent Film Festival 2025

Writer / Director: Jamie Patterson

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

Rating:  7.5 / 10

As a retired sea captain, Fergus is used to the vastness of the ocean – but after his bad decision to rob his local newsagents, instead of the freedom of the open seas, he’s confined to house arrest for the foreseeable future.

Not the friendliest of people, Fergus (Patrick Bergin) has already gone through multiple caregivers in the last few months, his neighbour can’t stand him, and he doesn’t even much like himself anymore if he’s completely honest. Everything changed when he lost his wife, and now his only motivation, is to save enough money to buy the boat they planned to retire on. Leni (Eleni Iordanopoulou) is also a little jaded with life, but definitely still more on the positive side, for now at least. Moving to Brighton from Greece in an attempt to find somewhere she calls home for her and her child, she hasn’t had the best run of things. The other guests at her hostel are noisy, she’s struggled to find work and is slowly starting to re-think her plans – until she lands a job as Fergus’ new caregiver, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship.

Jamie Patterson’s comic drama is a little gem. Filled with heart and warmth, the character development of Fergus & Leni is masterfully done, completely endearing them to the audience from the very beginning. The leisurely pace as the pair navigate their new working relationship, as well as their own life hurdles fits the storyline perfectly, never rushing the progression, but equally never lingering on scenes past their prime.  Bergin and Iordanopoulou are fantastic within their roles, displaying both the tenderness and comedy where required in a very naturalistic manner. An enjoyable, heartfelt and humorous feature film to close out the British Independent Film Festival 2025.

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