Réservée (2025) Movie Review: A Grounded and Intimate Exploration of Modern Love at Table Twelve

Réservée is a 2025 British romantic drama that serves as a profound reminder of the power of minimalist filmmaking. Written and directed by Richard Anthony Dunford and produced by Hypericum Films, this "ultra micro-budget" feature eschews grand cinematic gestures in favor of an intimate, dialogue-driven narrative. Remarkably, the film was shot over just six days in November 2024 on location in Sussex, England. The project primarily features Nicholas Pople and Caitlin Cameron as the central couple, supported by an ensemble including Sammy Attalah, Denise Wilton, and Nicola Wright. Produced by Dunford alongside Daniel Vallecillo, the film initially made its mark at the Unrestricted View Film Festival in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2025.

The premise is deceptively simple: the entire trajectory of a relationship between two people, Evan and Rhian, is told through their interactions at Table 12 of the Rainbow Inn on Mill Lane. This film matters because it challenges the traditional Hollywood "meet-cute" tropes, offering instead a "meet-awkward" reality that feels painfully recognizable. It is a testament to the idea that you do not need a galaxy of stars or multiple locations to tell a story that feels as vast as the solar system.

Story and Screenplay: The Extraordinary Nature of the Ordinary

The screenplay, also penned by Dunford, is the backbone of this production. Rather than following a standard linear path filled with dramatic "fireworks," the narrative quality is defined by its restraint. We witness the evolution of Evan and Rhian’s connection through a series of snapshots in time, all anchored to the same physical space. This structure allows the audience to focus entirely on the shifting dynamics of their communication, from the tentative first dates to the comfortable silences and the inevitable friction that comes with long-term familiarity.

The pacing is deliberate, reflecting the natural ebb and flow of a real conversation. The originality of the script lies in its refusal to sugarcoat the messy parts of dating. The dialogue feels unscripted and raw, successfully capturing the quiet discomfort of chance meetings and the slow work required to build a lasting bond. While some of the comedic beats involving the restaurant's periphery don’t always land with the same precision as the romantic elements, the core script remains a powerful exercise in realism, made even more impressive by the tight six-day production schedule.

Acting and Characters: A Masterclass in On-Screen Chemistry

For a film that takes place almost entirely at a single table, the success of the project rests squarely on the shoulders of Nicholas Pople and Caitlin Cameron. Their performances have been rightfully recognized by the industry; Caitlin Cameron won Best Actress for her role at both the BIFA-qualifying Unrestricted View Film Festival 2025 and the Romford Film Festival, while Nicholas Pople earned a well-deserved nomination for Best Actor.

Their chemistry is the engine that drives Réservée forward. Pople’s Evan and Cameron’s Rhian are not presented as perfect cinematic archetypes; they are flawed, sometimes clumsy, and deeply relatable. Their ability to convey the passage of time and the growth of their characters through subtle changes in body language and tone is remarkable. The supporting cast, while serving primarily as the backdrop, provides a necessary sense of world-building, but it is the award-winning lead performances that transform a simple restaurant table into a universe of its own.

Direction and Technical Aspects: The Vision of Minimalist Cinema

Richard Anthony Dunford’s directorial vision is one of extreme focus. Managing to keep a 73-minute film visually engaging when the camera rarely leaves a single table is a significant technical hurdle. Dunford overcomes this by varying the compositions and focusing on the micro-expressions of his actors. His style is low-key and unobtrusive, allowing the performances to breathe and the setting to become a character in its own right.

The cinematography is functional and grounded, avoiding overly stylized filters or distracting camera movements. By keeping the visual storytelling simple, the film emphasizes the feeling of "being there" with the characters in Sussex. The editing plays a crucial role in stitching together these disparate moments in time, ensuring that the transitions between different stages of the relationship feel fluid and logical. It is a clear example of a director understanding his limitations and turning them into a creative strength.

Music and Atmosphere: The Quiet Hum of Connection

The atmosphere of Réservée is defined by its low-key, domestic feel. The sound design relies on the ambient noise of the inn—the clinking of cutlery and the distant murmur of other patrons—to create a sonic environment that feels incredibly real. This is beautifully complemented by the original score composed by Adam House, which provides a subtle emotional layer to the couple's journey.

The overall mood is one of quiet reflection and gentle hope. The film avoids the trap of melodrama, opting for a tone that is emotional and powerful precisely because it is so understated. This atmospheric simplicity allows the audience to project their own experiences onto Evan and Rhian, making the film feel deeply personal for anyone who has ever sat across a table from someone they were trying to understand.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• The exceptional, award-winning chemistry between Nicholas Pople and Caitlin Cameron.
• An authentic screenplay that avoids romantic clichés in favor of realism.
• Incredible resourcefulness, delivering a full feature film shot in just 6 days.
• A subtle and effective original score by Adam House that enhances the intimate mood.

Weaknesses

• Supporting comedic elements occasionally feel disconnected from the main grounded tone.
• The "ultra micro-budget" nature means a lack of visual variety for those used to mainstream cinema.
• Some middle-act dialogue could have been tightened to improve momentum.

Final Verdict: A Table for Two in a Vast and Moving Universe

Rating: 4/5 stars

Réservée (2025) is a small gem of a film that delivers an emotional impact far beyond its modest means. It is a refreshing departure from the "fireworks" of traditional Hollywood romance, choosing instead to find the beauty in the quiet, awkward, and mundane moments of a relationship. Richard Anthony Dunford and his team have crafted a powerful, realistic love story that succeeds because it isn't afraid to be simple.

I highly recommend Réservée to anyone who enjoys character-driven dramas or the "walk and talk" style of films like the Before trilogy. If you appreciate subtle acting and stories that focus on the complexities of human connection, this is a must-watch. It is a lovely and brilliant reminder that sometimes, the most important events in the universe happen at Table 12.