Distributor: Optimum Releasing
Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham,
Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure, Joseph Gilgun, Rosamund Hanson
Director: Shane Meadows
Screenplay: Shane Meadows
Producer: Mark Herbert
Running Time: 1hr 40m
Release Date: April 27th 2007 (UK)
Rating: 18
In 2007, Shane Meadows released his
independent film 'This is England' to critical acclaim. So much so that it
spawned several sequel TV mini-series'. This coming-of-age story turned
ensemble drama about a group of teenagers and young adults in the 1980s (and
1990) has resonated with people for the characters and the realistic depiction
of violence, drugs and sexual abuse has earned the series several awards. At
the time of writing, 'This is England '90' (the final season of the series) is
currently playing so it is time to review the movie that started it all: 'This
is England'.
Set in Northern England in 1983, the movie
follows Shaun (Turgoose). He is a 12 year old kid who has recently lost his
father to the Falkland Wars and is constantly bullied. Things change when he
encounters a group of skinheads led by Woody (Gilgun) with members such as
Milky (Shim) and Gadget (Andrew Ellis), as well as female members such as Lol
(McClure), Smell (Hanson), Kelly (Chanel Cresswell) and Trev (Danielle Watson).
Shaun feels at home with the group until former member Combo (Graham) returns
with nationalist views and the gang are divided with Shaun joining Combo's
group and he soon learns the darker side of patriotism.
The best part of 'This is England' is the
characters. Before Combo arrives, you feel such a comradery between the gang to
the point where you want to join them in their misadventures. Shaun in
particular is the audience surrogate as he is a trouble kid but still a kid. He
is naive to the dangers of youth culture and as such, he becomes easily
influenced by Combo's racist views. This sets up a perfect coming-of-age story
as he is exposed to extreme violence and racism and this is where the title
comes in. THIS is England, not the patriotic country we all love but a country
of violence, drugs and racism. Turgoose is a very good child actor who gets
across the fun loving side but also the angry side of Shaun very effectively.
The other notable character is Combo.
Combo represents nationalism and racism as his views of what it means to be
English is disturbing but he is so charismatic you almost don't care. He does
have a comforting side whether it is being a father figure to Shaun or
professing his love to Lol, you do feel almost sorry for him in the end. Well
almost... as he does have a violent side which is apparent in one scene. This
will not be spoiled but this scene is truly horrifying and it is hard to watch
Combo's blind fury comes out in full force.
It's not all doom and gloom as the
supporting characters are likable enough to maintain a light-hearted side to
the movie. Woody is a very likable and charismatic character but to be honest,
there should be more of him. Yes we do see him more in the TV show but in the
movie, he disappears after the first half. Smell provides some comic relief
whether its Hanson's deadpan delivery or her unconventional romance with Shaun,
there is bound to be some laughs. Cynthia (Hartley) is a caring mother who is
struggling to bring up her troubled son as a single mother and Hartley makes
her role comforting. Finally there is Lol. Like Woody, she isn't in the movie
much to make an impact but there are hints to a past that is luckily expanded
upon in the TV show. The rest of the cast, besides Gadget who gets a few
standout moments, are interchangeable and only get development in the TV show
except Pukey played by Jack O'Connell who is mysteriously replaced by Harvey
(Michael Socha), Shaun's bully at the beginning. Overall, the cast are likable
but are clearly screaming for development as the focus is on Shaun and Combo.
The production values are decent but not
that special. The camera used is quite clever as it is a similar quality of a
camera used for an '80s film which adds to the authenticity (though it gets
ruined when a normal camera is used for the TV show) and the use of editing is
done to good affect especially in THAT hard to watch scene. That and the music,
whilst used sparingly, is used in the movie's more effective moments but
besides that, it doesn't feel like a cinematic movie but rather a TV movie
pilot.
That's the problem with 'This is England',
it feels like a TV pilot as there are lots of characters who need developing
and are developed in a TV show. That being said, 'This is England' is a great
look at skinhead culture with it's somewhat lovable cast and a hard hitting
message on what it means to be English. It also perfectly mixes the tone
between light-hearted fun to some of the most gut-wrenching scenes in British
film history. Definitely watch this movie, if you like it then watch the TV
show to see the supporting characters shine.
'This is England' gets 4 skinheads out of
5
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