London Film Award Nomination Tom Kingsley and Will Sharpe: '[on Black Pond] .. funny, dreamily lyrical, armour-plated with eccentric self-confidence and also intensely English. It also, I have to say, has one of the most disturbing dream sequences I have seen for a while.'

The Guardian: “Black Pond is funny, dreamily lyrical, armour-plated with eccentric self-confidence and also intensely English. It also, I have to say, has one of the most disturbing dream sequences I have seen for a while.”

Despite its synopsis, Black Pond isn't really about a family accused of murder, it's about a man spiraling into depression who finds a kind of salvation in a stranger/kindrid spirit. Although it's both emotionally moving and intellectually thought provoking, Black Pond is really just a comedy played for real. Directors Tom Kingsley and Will Sharpe evidently understand how to make you laugh without making you aware you're watching a comedy, because all throughout the film feels like real life, as if it were a realist drama. Simon Amstell is strangely good as an over the top fraudulent therapist, but it's Chris Langham who steals the show. There are certain parallels between Langham and his on screen character that are too close to the bone to be coincidence, and hats off to the man for confronting his fears head on. On the surface, Black Pond is a brave, powerful and gritty drama about a dysfunctional family, but just under the surface is a lively comedy with a great cast and intelligent script.