Heartbroken, ageing and living in a converted shed, it's time for Alan to make a change. Through radical therapy and stubborn determination, can Alan rid himself of his crippling fear of commitment and win back the love of his life?

Plot Details

A hopeless romantic yet terrified of commitment, The C Word sees the plight and determination of Alan, a man desperate to overcome his crippling commitment issues and reunite himself with the love of his life.

With the help of a radical support group, Alan embarks on a journey to face the biggest challenge of his life - learning to commit. The film finds Alan in the middle of a terrifying team building exercise. Led by Simon, their devoted councillor, the petrified support group attempt to cross a hectic, busy road.

Unfortunately, dodging screeching cars and absorbing Simon's motivational speeches proves too much pressure for the feeble group. After a torrent of abuse from infuriated drivers, a tragic accident occurs. This puts Alan and the group back at square one, as we find them exhausted and injured in the support group hall.

During a sharing session, we learn about Alan's motivation for joining the support group; his desperate desire to get back with Melanie, his ex girlfriend. To aid him in his quest for commitment, Alan is presented with the responsibility to take care of an unlikely pet.

We find Alan back in his bachelor pad, distressed and exhausted. His wallowing in self pity is cut short by the arrival of his neighbour, Kathy. A holistic freelance therapist, Kathy is well versed in the art of listening and pouring green tea.

Kathy and Alan sit for a while discussing his tormented past and uncertain future. Deciding to make a change, Alan vows to learn to commit.

Alan in the commitaphobic support group. Having sprinted to Melanie's, Alan collapses outside her house. Luckily her topless fitness instructor, Chris, opens the door to give him a hand up. Melanie, angry but sympathetic, assures Alan that despite his best intentions, the relationship is over. Alan leaves the house empty handed and broken hearted.

Walking through his suburban town, Alan notices a variety of men who share his need for change. A lonesome man studies an engagement ring as another has an emotional breakdown at a restaurant, unable to commit to any meal on the menu.

Defeated and humiliated, Alan solemnly heads home. On his walk, he rounds a corner to see a woman standing on the very cross-road that started his journey. She is clutching desperately at a tank of Sea Monkeys - the same pet Alan was asked to care for. Clearly she is also a commitaphobe in therapy, tasked with looking after the strange creatures. Hesitantly, Alan approaches and offers his hand. They silently contemplate their situation before summoning the courage to cross the road, together.

Director's statement

James Dann's inspiration to make The C Word came from people continuously telling him how afraid of commitment they were. Be it friends, Uber drivers or the very rare person he matched with on Tinder; everyone seemed to be wanting a relationship but not being able to commit themselves to it. He found this a hilarious and startlingly accurate representation of modern day dating. The want to be with someone, but having the fear of feeling 'trapped with them if it goes badly' seemed to be a prevalent theme. More often than not, this ended up in people being habitually single, as a result of worrying over an alluded fear of entrapment which may never happen. So, in response to this theory, he decided to make a film on it.

Cast

Matt Aistrup	Alan
Tracy Gabbitas	Melanie
Paul Wilson	Simon
Sarah Legg	Kathy
Noel Wilson	Jeff
Dominic McCavish	Steve
Khurram Yaseen	Chris
Thamizh Thendral	Menu Reader
Vincent Stable	Ring Contemplator
Sully O'Sullivan	Street Collector
Gemma Richardson	Commitaphobe Woman
Ollie Ewin	House Party Dancer
Sarah Hicks	Camembert Mother
Rory Hicks	Camembert
Emma Laidlaw	Angry Driver 1
Andy Green	Angry Driver 2
Stuart Rees	Angry Driver 3
Julian Leiner	Angry Driver 4
James Dann	Street Collector Signer
Dom Old	Charity Worker 2

Writing team

James Dann

Writer

Production team

James Dann	Director
James Dann	Producer
Dan Thorburn	Producer
Michael Westwood	Editor
Dan Thorburn	Director of Photography
Joe Knowles	Composer
Grace Gibson	Composer
Mitch Gardner	Composer
Husain Abul	Sound Designer