In consideration of romantic gestures and criticisms of the romantics, “My Fault: London” being released near Valentine’s Day was impeccably timed. Released Feb. 13, “My Fault: London” is a film adaptation of “My Fault” by Mercedes Ron. Succeeding the film “Culpa Mía,” an adaptation of the same novel, the comparison between the two was inevitable and awaited. Yet, in consideration of the story’s forbidden romance trope and Wattpad origin, I believe “My Fault: London” outdid its predecessor.
In accordance with the novel, the film tells the story of Noah (Asha Banks), an 18-year-old girl who leaves the United States to live in London with her mother and wealthy stepfather. She harbors a dark past — hidden by a confident front and a thrilling masquerade of motorsport. Her past is not kept a secret for long, though, and she is challenged by navigating the London scene and an attraction to her stepbrother, Nick (Matthew Broome). All is well until Noah’s estranged father tracks her down.
At first, I was hesitant to watch “My Fault: London,” as I did not enjoy watching “Culpa Mía.” The storyline in “Culpa Mía” suffered because every meaningful scene was at the mercy of the sensual ones. Despite still being uncomfortable with the stepsibling romance, I felt as though “My Fault: London” had more intentional writing and focused on the non-sensual, intimate connection between Noah and Nick. I was impressed by the casual conversations within the film as well; the script maintained the youthfulness of the characters without being estranged from how young adults truly speak. Despite this, I believe the script to be weak, as although it was entertaining to see many of the romance tropes be met, the storyline seemed contrived and rushed.
Despite my criticisms of the script, I was impressed by what the actors did with it. The choices for the lead roles were impeccable, and their talent made the film entertaining. Asha Banks played Noah perfectly. Her range was incredible, as she could transition between being direct and flirtatious to being burdened and terrified. There were scenes in which Noah had panic attacks, and Asha portrayed that mental state well. Above all, in consideration of her being born and raised in the United Kingdom, I was impressed with her flawless American accent. I genuinely thought she was from the United States. Another performance I was very impressed by was Matthew Broome’s. I was afraid that him being in “The Buccaneers” would distract from this more contemporary film, but his performance ensured the projects were entirely separated. His portrayal of Nick was charming — enticing. Matthew is able to act with his eyes and uses microexpressions which define his emotions. That talent contributed greatly to this project and is precious in this modern generation of actors.
I thought the cinematography and wardrobe design were united in the storytelling of this film. All of the filming locations were beautiful and encapsulated the charm of London. The camera angles and movements contributed to the emotion within the more intimate scenes and the thrill of the motorsport scenes. The composition of the scenes was standard, and I wish there had been more artistic or theatrical shots to capture both the aesthetic and the essence of the thematic elements. Despite this shortcoming, the lighting of the sets was noteworthy. I believe the best scene was filmed on London’s Tower Bridge. The way the lights of the bridge are reflected in the sports car’s windows is stunning and enhances the effect of the actors’ emotions. Because the cinematography and wardrobe designs were harmonious, these film characteristics complimented one another. The wardrobe was age-appropriate and reflected London’s street style. In combining bold pieces with teenage stables, I would describe the wardrobe designs as being conventional yet brilliant. The design in “My Fault: London” was a recipe for success.
Last but not least is the soundtrack, which was entirely perfect. The music choices were unique and set this film apart, capturing emotion and intention. A montage of London to “LDN” by Lily Allen pinned romanticism against actualities. Noah’s exploration of her mansion to “Bourgeoisieses” by Conan Gray defined wealth and unintentionally idolized Nick. The stories in films commonly feel untouchable, yet as odd as it seems, music connects people to them. The installation of Charli XCX in clubbing and sports car racing scenes allows them to feel genuine—evidence of a shared teenage subculture. The infamous scenes in Ibiza would be nothing without the soundtrack, and because of it, “Better Off Alone (Pt. III)” by Dash Berlin, Alan Walker, and Vikkstar has taken over the internet. This soundtrack has been included in my own playlist, as “Bruises” by BETWEEN FRIENDS, “Teeth” by Mallrat and “Stayed Up All Night” by Tourist and Ardyn have been haunting me this past week. All in all, I believe this film owes a lot to its music.
Though this film has its entertainment and criticisms, it could be considered more than a guilty pleasure. A contrived storyline is no match for the talented actors, unparalleled design, and dynamic music of this project — for the rush of a racing romance.
“My Fault:” ★★★★☆
