In Love Without Walls, Paul is an aspiring musician working the club scene, while his wife Sophie acts as his manager. This is something they are both committed to, and have tried to turn into a success, but in recent times – and more specifically, post-pandemic – work has dried up.
Unable to pay their bills or their rent, Paul and Sophie soon find themselves homeless. At first, they look to family and friends for help with their situation, but when this doesn’t quite work out, they end up on the streets.
Over the course of the summer, the couple experience some truly dark times as they do their best to find work and get out of their situation. But will they be able to return to their former lives, or will this new existence be too much for them to cope with?
Written and directed by Jane Gull, Love Without Walls is a British romantic drama starring Niall McNamee and Shana Swash. The film – which made its debut at the Manchester Film Festival yesterday (March 12th) – looks at issues surrounding homelessness and misfortune, all while set to the backdrop of a love story between the two main characters.
Set shortly after the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the world still shifting around, the film details what happens to an ordinary couple who find themselves struggling financially when things go back to normal. While for some, it is business as usual (more or less), for Paul and Sophie they are now fighting an uphill battle for survival, with mounting bills.
Sound familiar? Well, it should. While this film may depict the story of two fictional characters, the situation they find themselves in is reflective of what real people are currently facing on a daily basis.
Thanks to the pandemic, a war in Europe, a cost of living crisis, and issues related to Brexit (the gift that keeps on ‘giving’), many ordinary folk are being plunged into debt and/or homelessness right now. This may not always be reflected in the UK news, but the sheer amount of people living on the streets in all the major cities and towns tells a different story, and that’s what this film aims to highlight.
What Love Without Walls does, is demonstrate how homelessness can happen. It details the domino effect that takes place once money begins to fall short, and how this in turn can lead onto ongoing misfortune, and then some very grave situations.
And to be very clear, this film does detail some of those grave situations. While Love Without Walls features an ongoing love story (more about that in a moment), this is a hard-hitting film, which doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable side of life.
Across the movie’s (almost) two-hour runtime, Love Without Walls covers a lot of tough material, with the two central characters being put through their paces, and back again. The final third of the movie in particular delves into some very dark places, and shows the true horrors that can befall anyone who slips through the cracks in society.
At times the movie is bleak, unforgiving, and incredibly cruel. However, it also looks at the importance of perseverance, and how love can fit into all of this.
All of the above is handled very well, and while Paul and Sophie do experience a significant number of obstacles, which some may find to be a few obstacles too many, it is worth remembering these things can happen. Writer/director Jane Gull creates a story which could be taking place next door, or just across the street, and this is something which really strengthens the film.
The film works as well as it does because while infusing the picture with social, cultural, and political commentary, Gull ensures this whole movie is also backed up by a love story, which runs throughout the narrative. While on the surface this picture is about homelessness and everything that follows, underneath it is also a movie about the power of love, and its ability to transcend all boundaries.
The movie is called Love Without Walls for a reason. This is a story about how love moves beyond possessions and wealth, and into an unshakable bond that exists between the two lead characters.
No matter what hardships they are faced with, Paul and Sophie take them on together. They can deal with anything, no matter the cost, because they have faith and belief in each other, and a love that burns forever.
This love story is well written and perfectly played by actors Niall McNamee and Shana Swash. It is an uplifting part of the movie, and it stops the whole film from descending into perpetual misery.
Although Love Without Walls goes to some heavy places, and it may prove a little too tough for some, this is a captivating piece which leaves its audience with much to think about. Love Without Walls presents a narrative which taps into some very relevant themes, it provokes discussion and feeling post-screening, and it demonstrates a clear story helmed by a filmmaker with something important to say.
Not something to watch on a Saturday night, when all you want is brainless entertainment, but certainly something to see when you are ready to handle its emotional beats. Love Without Walls is good stuff, so be sure to take a look.
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a Reply