Lucky Break

Freud (Hideous Kinky) chronicles 14 years in the life of a group of young actors who meet at the world-renowned acting school, Drama Arts, in London. Nell is insecure, plain, and passive, allowing her beautiful friend Charlie to walk all over her. Dan and Jemma, both ambitious and passionate, fall quickly in love as schoolmates. But a lot can happen in a decade, especially to people in their tumultuous 20s; careers diverge, creating, in the case of Dan and Jemma, an insidious gulf in their marriage. Charlie, meanwhile, finds that maintaining her looks is not just difficult (and costly), but exacts a different kind of price.And while after years of obscure toil, an unlikely film role finally brings the spotlight upon Nell (she even shares the red carpet with Prince Charles and Camilla). These four hopefuls succeed, fail, rise, and fall, tumbling together in Freud's easygoing narrative. The fragile egos, intense competition, and uncaring industry have an impact on all involved, no matter what level of success they enjoy, but no one ever seems ready to abandon this world, even if it's abandoned them. Drawing inspiration from her early acting training, Freud finds joy and heartbreak in her winning ensemble. (Nov.)