Lurking deep within this often embarrassing film is an extremely good idea. Writer/director Sean Ellis is intrigued by the moments between moments, by what can happen when time appears to stop. New worlds open up full of possibility and wonder where the metaphorical and metaphysical collide with explosive force. The reality is about as emotionally powerful as an exchange between two sponge cakes.

Presumably extrapolating his own student experience, Ellis sets his story in the world of a wretched teenager whose ill-fated love-affairs have manifested a crippling insomnia. To fill in hours of extra time with which he now finds himself, Ben (Sean Biggerstaff) takes night-shift work in a supermarket populated with sitcom misfits. Among them is Sharon (Emilia Fox) and a friendship blossoms. Meanwhile Ben’s insomnia has taught him to stop time completely; a handy trick when you’re an art student with nude models. Or anywhere you can undress women for ‘arts’ sake.

Such titillation is one of the more troubling aspects of Cashback, underlining the director’s uncertain devotion to his topic as he flip-flops between cryptic sensuality, broad comedy and budding romance. It screams for a much lighter touch than Ellis is able to deliver. Expanding his Oscar-nominated short to feature length has rendered many scenes uncertain and others plain silly, such as a football match feels like it was dropped in to sure up a wavering demographic. Ironically, it’s the added runtime that has been the film’s undoing. When Ben falls for the angelic checkout chick but is caught with an ex, things get predictably messy. Fortunately he can turn back time. A pity we can’t.

// COLIN FRASER