This review originally ran on September 23, 2021 during TIFF.

I first became aware of acclaimed English director Clio Barnard Barnard after I saw her debut narrative feature The Selfish Giant at AFI FEST in 2013. In fact, I considered it to be the breakout film of the festival that year. Her latest film, Ali & Ava, is a cinematic epiphany of what Barnard does best. A working-class, middle-aged love story birthed from loneliness, Ali & Ava brings dynamic visuals, a fiery soundtrack, and an outsider’s perspective on life to the big screen.

Related: ‘The Selfish Giant’ Review: Clio Barnard’s First Film is a Powerhouse

The film is set in a small community in England where Ali (Adeel Akhtar) and Ava (Claire Rushbrook) co-exist. Ali is a British Pakistani small-time landlord whose connections he forges with his tenets fill the void in his life where his failing marriage used to be. Ava, a single mother of five, is a teacher at the local children’s school where she feels the most fulfilled since her relationship with her adult children is strained, leaving her maternal instincts in shambles. Both with a sense of longing for something more, Ali and Ava strike up a friendship after their paths cross serendipitously.

First bonding over their passion for (and extremely different tastes in) music–Ali loves the Buzzcocks, Ava prefers Bob Dylan– the lionhearted duo’s connection grows deeper the more time they spend together. Both warm and sensitive people, Ali and Ava become more comfortable in expressing their most vulnerable thoughts with each other. This quickly leads both to develop strong feelings for one another, but emotionally complex and traumatic hurdles prove difficult to navigate as they pursue a romantic relationship.

As soon as I saw the opening shot of Ali & Ava, I knew this film was something special. The vibrancy, the pulsating beat, and the erratic dancing all culminated into such a powerful visual that I literally haven’t stopped thinking about days later. Quite similar to how Monos has been imprinted into my brain since 2019. Stunning cinematography by Ole Bratt Birkeland and an energizing soundtrack (shoutout to Sylvan Esso’s “Radio”) portray a realistic depiction of two lonely English folks who just want to be seen. Supported by the fiercely affecting performances from Adeel and Claire, Ali & Ava is a truly special and untraditional love story.