Tuesday, October 16, 2012
BLEAK
Today's film was Ken Loach's
with Martin Compston in his first role. Picked off the street.
The title is ironic. A fifteen year old boy/man, Lliam, is caught in a web of petty crime and hopes to get out of it when his mum gets out of prison for possession.
Recruited by the Mum's boyfriend to take some stash to her inside to sell, Lliam escalates his interest in dealing as a way to find a new home for he and his Mum and sister. He does pretty well and then it comes down crashing.
A social realism piece with great acting by a gang of near amateurs, Loach shows the seamy side of the life in Glasgow and, by the time he is 16, the very day, the pattern that Lliam has fallen into naively, then not, which bars any return or particularly the new home he yearns for.
What is good in this are the relationships. Lliam's buddies and his sister and sort of girl friend. The mother is beautifully portrayed by a woman who is a social worker and comes across this life from the other side every day.
The film is lively and exciting. New areas are uncovered. A boy yearning for his mother. Happiness. And yet falling behind every step of the way.
Compston shows his chops in this role which has lead to a string of parts in more than a few films so far. Three on the way.
The two friends, notably William Ruane, were seen in the tri-film Tickets as well. Ruane also in The Wind That Shakes the Barley which is one of my fivers.
This was one of my fan-boy films. Good to see. Glad to have it done. Once was enough pain for me this week. A 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: films
