Emotional Backgammon
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Matthew Hope
Harry F. Rushton
Wil Johnson
Daniela Lavender
Jacqueline de Peza
Tracey Vanessa Brown
Bob Mercer
Steve Weston
Steve Edwin[3]
| Emotional Backgammon | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Leon Herbert[1] |
| Written by | Leon Herbert Matthew Hope |
| Produced by | Matthew Hope[2] Harry F. Rushton |
| Starring | Leon Herbert Wil Johnson Daniela Lavender Jacqueline de Peza Tracey Vanessa Brown Bob Mercer Steve Weston Steve Edwin[3] |
| Cinematography | Koutaiba Al-Janabi |
| Edited by | Christopher Bird |
| Music by | Paul Foss Chris Nicolaides |
| Distributed by | Odeon/Buccaneer |
Release dates |
14 December 2004 (DVD) |
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £6,000[citation needed] |
Emotional Backgammon is a 2003 British independent comedy-drama about couples strategizing to repair relationships, with unexpected results.[4] The film was written by Leon Herbert and Matthew Hope, directed by Herbert, and stars Herbert, Wil Johnson, Daniela Lavender, and Jacqueline de Peza. It is Herbert's first feature-length film.[1] During its development it was featured on UK Channel 4's Movie Virgins series; upon its release, it received mixed reviews.
John is crushed when his girlfriend, Mary, announces that she's leaving him to "find herself", at the very moment John was about to ask her to marry him. John seeks out advice from his best friend Steve on strategies to win her back. Steve uses backgammon as a metaphor for approaches to take, telling John to "roll the dice, for love is a game." At the same time, Mary begins taking advice from her best friend, also employing complicated strategies. It is revealed that both John and Jane share a bitter, complicated past.
Cast
Production
Herbert and Hope stated that, "The script idea was drawn from countless conversations with friends in problematic relationships. It is a story about emotional black-mail, but also an analysis of insecurities, and the charged and complex control tactics we resort to in the game of love."[2] The film's production was featured on UK Channel 4's series Movie Virgins.[4][5] With a budget of £6,000,[citation needed] it was shot on location in London, England "in a total of 18 days in July 1999"[3][6] in 35mm by award-winning cinematographer Koutaiba Al-Janabi.[7] Soundtrack artists included Kelly Le Roc, Lamarr, Incognito, David Lynden Hall, Fierce and Shola Ama (title track).[6]