In the week in which we were told that Ireland's housing crisis is likely to persist for at least another 15 years, comes an Irish anthology film about the concept of home. Here, you get five different stories from writer-director Liam O Mochain, all featuring familiar faces.
In the first, a restaurant owner (Liam O Mochain) and a homeless woman (Marion O'Dwyer) cross paths at Christmas.
Love, it seems, is in the air in the second as a shopkeeper (Mary McEvoy) is pursued by a dapper customer (Brendan Conroy).
The third story, which ties for the best, sees a woman (Rose Henderson) all het up about a big event.
In the quirky fourth, a hot-under-the-collar couple (Gail Brady and Matthew O'Brien) buy a cooker that seems to have a life of its own.
The fifth and final fly-on-the-wall closes the film powerfully as a mother and father (Mary Murray and Stephen Jones) try to get away from it all on a hotel break.
Abode has its share of surprises and good performances throughout. There is more meat on the bones of some of the vignettes than others - and a bit too much music at times - but the pace ensures that the film as a whole doesn't outstay its welcome.
Behind the scenes, there's no doubt that money was tight. It's commendable that what's on screen looks so well. In selected cinemas nationwide.
