Once In A New Moon

Once in a New Moon, directed by Anthony Kimmins, is a daringly inventive, satirical comedy-drama from the early 1930s British cinema era. The film has endeared the test of time as a kind of immersion into that unique era's distinct narrative style and charm filled with plots that placed everyday people in unusual circumstances.

The film revolves around the inhabitants of the small, fictitious town of Wapping. The town is brought to life by a brilliant cast led by the skilled Eliot Makeham, Rene Ray, and Morton Selten. Eliot Makeham plays Dr. Boyes, a local authority figure who is both intelligent and unconventional, while the talented Rene Ray portrays the resilient and quick-witted Stella Raff. Veteran actor Morton Selten masterfully plays Sir Jasper Whyte, a high-minded aristocrat.

This idyllic coastal town of Wapping experiences an unprecedented display of cosmic events that catapults its life into an unexpected adventure. The plot kicks off when a mysterious, new celestial body appears in the sky. This bewildering occurrence fascinates Dr. Boyes, who, after careful observations, concludes that a collision between Earth and this new moon is inevitable. However, rather than spelling doom, this bizarre astronomical event prompts situations that lead to a complete societal transformation for the town of Wapping.

The engagement and excitement of the movie increase when the collision causes the little town to be cut off from the rest of the world. Wapping, once an ordinary English town, now takes upon an unlikely independence. The town residents, including Stella Raff and Sir Jasper Whyte, suddenly find themselves in a new nation-state disconnected from the British Empire.

With this unexpected autonomy, the film explores how the average man and women adapt as they are thrust into positions of leadership and governance. With their old societal norms and hierarchical standards essentially wiped clean, the film humorously ponders on the question of what would one do if they could start all over again, building a society from scratch. The transformation of Wapping into a world of its own provides the ideal platform for Anthony Kimmins' creative storytelling to unfold.

Once In a New Moon paves the way for a thought-provoking melodrama laced with subtle satire, examining the human instinct for survival and adaptation. It beautifully explores various themes such as power dynamics, societal norms, class variations, and collective responsibility. The characters portrayed in the film are well-rounded, with each bringing a different perspective to the evolving new system of governance.

As Wapping braces its new reality, alliances shift, personalities evolve, and societal structures get a radical makeover. The film beautifully uses the incident of going ‘back to basics’ to highlight the absurdity of social division, snobbery, and class prejudices. Society's inherent power structures are laid bare, and the premise of stripping everything back to basics is incredibly refreshingly presented by Kimmins.

The film presents an insightful critique of the time’s socio-political climate yet keeps its tone light-hearted and engaging. The dramatic events are interspersed with moments of sharp comedy and tender human connections, making the film a unique blend of various genres.

The performances of the cast are robust and add depth to the narrative. Eliot Makeham, with his brilliance in portraying the likable Dr. Boyes, delivers a stand-out performance. His character’s unwavering dedication towards scientific reasoning and his commitment to the welfare of his fellow citizens forms the moral backbone of Once In a New Moon. Rene Ray's Stella Raff is similarly dynamic, her charisma and energy, along with her indomitable spirit in face of the extraordinary, elevate the film.

The film's experimentation with themes and narratives that were ahead of its time, coupled with its satirical humor, make for an engaging watch. The film can be favorably appreciated for its uniqueness, ambition, style, and prescient social commentary. The creative chaos that ensues in the plot, the strong performances by the cast, and its exploration of society’s adherence to power dynamics, class, and privilege make it an enthralling piece of cinema. The film, Once In a New Moon, is indeed an intriguing and humorous plunge into an alternate kind of Chaos Theory, making us ponder the very nature of our societal construct.