What Richard Did review

An impressive study of guilt and responsibility

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Thanks to its excellent title, the first half of Lenny Abrahmson’s measured drama passes under a shadow of suspicion.

Can Dublin golden boy Richard (one-to-watch Jack Reynor), a promising, popular teen killing time across a lazy summer, really be as amiable as he appears?

Though it’s a touch more convincing than it is compelling, with Abrahmson keeping a steady (some might say glum) tone throughout, the film eventually makes good on that threat, offering an impressive study of guilt, responsibility and the bad things that happen to good people.

Freelance Writer

Matt Glasby is a freelance film and TV journalist. You can find his work on Total Film - in print and online - as well as at publications like the Radio Times, Channel 4, DVD REview, Flicks, GQ, Hotdog, Little White Lies, and SFX, among others. He is also the author of several novels, including The Book of Horror: The Anatomy of Fear in Film and Britpop Cinema: From Trainspotting To This Is England.