COTTON WOOL

The Best Short Film of 2018

‘Deeply emotive and humbling’

[Leanne Best’s] ‘showstopper performance as

a stroke victim is superb’

‘Utterly enrapturing’

‘Affecting and heartbreaking’

‘A moving story with excellent performances’

ScreenCritix ★★★★★

‘A heartwarming and eye-watering short film’

‘Guaranteed to make many a viewer shed a

tear’

[Leanne] ‘Best is a revelation’

[Nicholas Connor] ‘does a wonderful job in the

directing department’

[Nicholas Connor] ‘is certainly cementing his

status as one of the UK’s hottest prospects’

Film Threat ★★★★

'Cotton Wool is a heartbreaking message about the struggle young carers face when tragedy strikes. It also gives a glimpse into the care and recovery process for victims of strokes.'

'Whether the story applies to you or not, it’s definitely worth watching.'

'As Rachel, Leanne Best painstaking physicality is incredible and all-too-real.'

Indie Shorts Mag ★★★★

'4.7/5 Stars'

'If there is anything Connor has established with Cotton Wool, it is to imbue his characters with indispensable humanity. 'Every scene that has Rachel (Leanne Best) in it holds undeniable power'

The Monthly Film Festival ★★★★½

‘It is a celebration of love and family devotion, an exercise of admiration for the beauty of a world that we ignore in our continuous fleeing for more or less important goals.

Nicholas Connor proves through his project a great artistic and human sensibility combined with special directorial precision that gives him a balanced perspective on a tragic family destiny.

‘Cotton Wool’ is a short film that impresses with the force by which it surprises the deaf.

Caution Spoilers ★★★½ 

'Connor has crafted an absorbing film of wonderful performances that is searingly honest, yet finishes on a note of realistic optimism. '

'Vento had me in tears for vast chunks of the running time. '

Flip Screen ★★★½ 

'A fine piece of cinema that showcases the life of stroke victims'

'Leanne Best is a shining star, giving an unbelievable performance'

The Mancunion ★★★★

‘Nicholas Connor’s latest short film is his most

evocative yet’

‘Connor could rise up to take the place of the

ageing Ken Loach’

[Leanne] ‘Best is sublime’

100 Films in a Year ★★★★

‘Heartbreaking’

‘It’s hard not to make comparisons to another recent British short film about a child coping with disability-related adversity […] The Silent Child. That, of course, won an Oscar, and I’d say Cotton Wool is at least its equal.’

Cinema 365

‘Ultimately Heartwarming'

'Best gives an outstanding performance'

Close-Up Culture

'It really is an in-depth look into the lives of a family where things go wrong. It shows us how life can change at any moment, not always for the better, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow stronger and better. To see someone so young create something so powerful, it really is amazing. It shows how young people can do anything if they put their mind to it, whether that’s making a film or caring for a family member.'

Unseen Films

‘A very good film that makes me want to see what director Nick Connor will do next.’

‘Leanne Best […] has a star-making moment when we watch as the stroke hits her.’

The Independent Critic ★★★ (Alphabetical - B)

'Cotton Wool is an intelligent and emotionally resonant short film that benefits greatly from the fine performances of its ensemble cast led by Leanne Best's heartbreaking, remarkable turn as Rachel.'

Number 9 Reviews

'Gripping and Emotional'

Movie Reviews 101 ★★★★

'The performances in the film are brilliant, everyone in the family, Leanne Best, Max Vento and Katherine Quinn shine, making us believe they are all a real family, dealing with the struggles. This is a short film that you should check out, understand the changes people are going through and offering to help the people in need.'

The Second Shift Review - YouTube (Transcript)

'It threw me' ''I really love this film, for me, It's been a while since I've seen anything this gutwrenching' 'Very thought-provoking and poignant'

BRWC

 'What Nicholas Connor has accomplished is impressive. Cotton Wool takes a tricky subject, managing to spin new cloth from old, bolstered by strong performances in a short feature that looks and sounds gorgeous.'

'Alan C. McLaughlin’s photography is cinematic and bold'

'Nicholas Connor tasks himself with striking a delicate dramatic balance with Cotton Wool. In the wrong hands, the sensitive subject matter could easily falter into maudlin, misery-porn. Instead, he has woven a story of hopefulness, of new relationships formed from old, of tectonic shifts in the family dynamic and enduring love.'

'An exceptional performance from young Max Vento'

'Leanne Best captures so much within a performance that is emotionally earthed and relatable. As someone who has seen family members suffer strokes, there is a sense of fear and hopelessness evoked in the opening scenes that is awfully palpable.'