Ed SheeranS “One shot” Film Delivers a Seamless Journey From City Streets to Concert Stage
Netflix‘s “One Shot With Ed Sheeran,” released November 21, presents a continuous, single-take journey following the singer through New York City in the hours leading up to a concert. The film showcases Sheeran’s spontaneous interactions, including performing at a marriage proposal, staging an impromptu gig on a tourist bus, playing a rooftop birthday party, and jamming at a pub, culminating in his triumphant return to the theater and onstage performance.
Director Paul Barantini employs fluid camera work-transitioning between handheld operators and drones-evoking comparisons to Sergei Urusevsky and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “birdman (Or the Unexpected virtue of Ignorance).” The production maintains a discreet presence,with camera operators and production assistants largely unseen.
While largely seamless, the film includes moments that appear staged, such as Sheeran easily hailing a cab and a chance encounter with Camila Cabello, who provides him with a ride and participates in a carpool karaoke segment. Despite these perhaps contrived moments, Sheeran maintains an energetic and positive demeanor throughout the film.
