‘My Fault: London’ Review: A Tasteless English-Language Adaptation of Tawdry Teen Lit

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As a dedicated cinephile, I must admit that in “My Fault: London,” the adaptations from Mercedes Ron’s original work, “Culpa Mía,” just don’t seem substantial enough to make its questionable premise any less distasteful. The 2023 Prime Video adaptation of this Wattpad fiction, sharing the same name, seems to embody the essence of a “guilty pleasure.” It leaves audiences squirming as non-blood related step-siblings push against puritanical norms with their cringeworthy, borderline incestuous romance. Thankfully, this version avoids the parents casually dismissing any suspicions about their children engaging in intimate activities right under their noses.

This slightly tamed English adaptation appears as if a young Jackie Collins penned an illicit love story between two grumpy step-siblings, set in the realms of “The Fast and the Furious” and “Never Back Down.” If that sounds like a confusing mix, it’s because it is. The main characters’ harsh traits are smoothed over to create empathy, but for discerning viewers, this doesn’t strike a chord, as the taboo nature of their relationship overshadows everything. Making their directorial debut, Charlotte Fassler and Dani Girdwood (known as “Similar but Different”) show visual prowess during action-packed scenes, but unfortunately fall into predictable, overused narrative traps that were already present in the original storyline.

Seventeen-year-old Asha Banks (Noah) isn’t particularly excited about leaving her car, boyfriend Dan, and best friend Haley in Miami. Her quiet mother Ella has recently married a wealthy British man named William, which means they are moving to his family mansion in London. Upon arrival, Noah is warmly greeted by everyone from the staff to her new stepfather. However, there’s one exception – William’s self-important and financially independent son Nick doesn’t exactly welcome her with open arms. Their initial hostility towards each other gradually softens as Noah becomes involved in Nick’s high-speed life filled with car races, physical altercations, and powerful personalities.

This version maintains the original’s tone while using simpler sentence structures and more natural phrasing to make it easier for readers to understand.

Surprisingly enough, I find myself sharing more with my step-brother Noah than we might think. He’s grappling with deep-seated daddy issues due to his father’s (Jason Flemyng) drug and physical abuse, followed by imprisonment. Meanwhile, I’ve been battling mommy issues stemming from my mother’s alcoholism. Unfortunately, our shared interest in the underground racing scene and bare-knuckle fighting isn’t keeping me out of harm’s way or ensuring that I stay away from my younger half-sister Maddie (Seosaimhin Hennelly). Matters become even more complex as a dangerous criminal named Ronnie (Sam Buchanan) starts targeting me and my loved ones in a ruthless harassment campaign. This harrowing experience unexpectedly brings Noah and I closer, forging a turbulent romantic relationship that’s hard to ignore. Ugh!

Melissa Osborne attempts to refine parts of the story that might seem outdated or problematic, such as the fairy tale transformation of Noah and her attraction to a bad boy due to personal issues, by injecting some self-deprecating humor. However, it’s not groundbreaking or revolutionary, as the character development essentially stays the same. Minor adjustments remove some of the Spanish adaptation’s more absurd elements (like the timing of Noah’s kidnapping), and slightly advancing Noah by a year reduces some of the discomfort. Nevertheless, the familiar, uninspiring story patterns persist.

The script is filled with logical puzzles and implausible situations. For instance, it’s hard to comprehend why Nick, who is rich, or Noah, who is struggling financially, would still live with their parents. The scenario where Noah’s father escapes jail, flees parole, and runs away to another country in the post-9/11 era seems incredibly implausible. It’s also surprising that Nick’s mother only forbids certain misdeeds, yet overlooks the one he’s currently involved in. The filmmakers deserve credit for giving her an unintentionally funny line: “All the anger he feels towards me comes out through his fists or on the road.

Despite the story not being particularly gripping, the visual elements are strikingly attractive. Fassler and Girdwood, together with cinematographer Ed Moore and editor Robert Frost, create intense suspense during car chases and pursuits. The race between Noah and Ronnie has a “Fast and Furious” feel as they speed through tight corners. Nick’s sleek, red McLaren is captured skillfully, making it seem almost irresistible. It’s undeniably car-oriented content that gets the adrenaline pumping. On the other hand, Nick’s fight club sequences are shot handheld to increase emotional connection and immediacy, providing a powerful sense of raw emotion.

The dedication of Banks and Broome towards their roles significantly enhances their on-screen chemistry. Despite the heavy undercurrents in the storyline making it challenging to empathize with their characters’ struggles, their acting is captivating. Enva Lewis, portraying Jenna, Noah’s first British friend, almost steals the spotlight with her enchanting allure, humor, and authenticity. Her interactions with Banks, filled with witty exchanges reminiscent of close friends, hint at a potential spin-off focusing on their friendship, which could offer a more compelling narrative.

Two additional books in Ron’s “Culpables” series are yet to be translated into English, but it seems unlikely they’ll achieve much success due to the questionable content. Setting aside the film’s explicit portrayal of the protagonists’ controversial relationship (which is problematic even with its supposedly humorous context), there’s little reason to continue following these despicable characters.

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2025-02-14 03:48