This is England

Matblack · 07-03-2008, 16:01

I watched this today tucked up with beachams cold and flu tablets and a cup of tea.

A very, very interesting movie and throughly recommended

[But and this is very important, if you are going to watch it you have to watch it with an open and inquisitive mind and not assume the entire character development is going to be laid out for you, this is after all a quintessentially British film and not an American 'brain off' film.]

Revolving around the character of Shaun a 14 year old who is isolated TIE shows what it was like to grow up in the 80s and yes people really did dress like that! How high unemployment and deprivation caused racial tensions and how portions of the Skinhead movement made a transition from an excepting social group in to something far more sinister.

This is a beautiful film, shot as if someone had found a tardis and taken the crew and equipment back into the 80s the look is painfully authentic, from the clothes to the decor and the language, and so it should be as it is loosely based on the writers own experiences. But not only that, the cinematography is also very well done with some beautiful shots (check out the shots with the boat and the beach if you watch it).

This is not an easy film to watch and it is demanding of the viewer, causing you to make judgments and ask questions, its one of those films which you'll probably want to have discussions about afterwards; why did Combo act in that way, why did Milky ever get involved, what happened to Lol and Woody and what does that final scene really represent? Also when did Gilly get a film career!?!

Sometimes its good to have questions after watching something like this because it makes us question our own moral judgments of the characters.

In summary is this a beautiful and thought provoking movie and essential viewing for anyone who remembers the 80s.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/

IMDB Score 8 (based on 12,500 voters)
MB Score 8 1/2 (based on 1 voter)

MB

Joe 90 · 07-03-2008, 16:20

being born in 86 leaves me with no memories of that era but i still really loved this film

and i'd have to give it a similar rating MB.

Roberta · 07-03-2008, 17:00

Bought this when it came out. Disturbing but I love it.

Karl · 07-03-2008, 19:52

I saw this in the cinema. There were about another 4 people in there with me. Woefully small turnouts for such a brilliant film.

Feek · 07-03-2008, 19:54

Saw it a while ago, fantastic film, very good indeed.

Stan_Lite · 07-03-2008, 21:41

I've seen bits of it before but not the whole film. I must get around to watching it sometime.

Justsomebloke · 07-03-2008, 21:55

In Bed with Flu you Big Gayer You

Ok it's BD & we're mates & all that so Get well soon Honey bunny Wunny

Kin Bed with Flu YOU JESSIE

Matblack · 07-03-2008, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by malc30

In Bed with Flu you Big Gayer You

Ok it's BD & we're mates & all that so Get well soon Honey bunny Wunny

Kin Bed with Flu YOU JESSIE

Beats working

MB

Marmoset · 10-03-2008, 18:57

Great film. Watched it a while ago.

Desmo · 07-03-2008, 22:06

Acquiring it now

07-03-2008, 16:01	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	This is England I watched this today tucked up with beachams cold and flu tablets and a cup of tea. A very, very interesting movie and throughly recommended [But and this is very important, if you are going to watch it you have to watch it with an open and inquisitive mind and not assume the entire character development is going to be laid out for you, this is after all a quintessentially British film and not an American 'brain off' film.] Revolving around the character of Shaun a 14 year old who is isolated TIE shows what it was like to grow up in the 80s and yes people really did dress like that! How high unemployment and deprivation caused racial tensions and how portions of the Skinhead movement made a transition from an excepting social group in to something far more sinister. This is a beautiful film, shot as if someone had found a tardis and taken the crew and equipment back into the 80s the look is painfully authentic, from the clothes to the decor and the language, and so it should be as it is loosely based on the writers own experiences. But not only that, the cinematography is also very well done with some beautiful shots (check out the shots with the boat and the beach if you watch it). This is not an easy film to watch and it is demanding of the viewer, causing you to make judgments and ask questions, its one of those films which you'll probably want to have discussions about afterwards; why did Combo act in that way, why did Milky ever get involved, what happened to Lol and Woody and what does that final scene really represent? Also when did Gilly get a film career!?! Sometimes its good to have questions after watching something like this because it makes us question our own moral judgments of the characters. In summary is this a beautiful and thought provoking movie and essential viewing for anyone who remembers the 80s. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480025/ IMDB Score 8 (based on 12,500 voters) MB Score 8 1/2 (based on 1 voter) MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

07-03-2008, 16:20	#2
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	being born in 86 leaves me with no memories of that era but i still really loved this film and i'd have to give it a similar rating MB. __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

07-03-2008, 17:00	#3
Roberta Pole Model Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,986	Bought this when it came out. Disturbing but I love it. __________________ I fell out of favour with Heaven somewhere, and I'm here for the hell of it now...

07-03-2008, 19:54	#5
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Saw it a while ago, fantastic film, very good indeed. __________________

07-03-2008, 21:41	#6
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	I've seen bits of it before but not the whole film. I must get around to watching it sometime. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

07-03-2008, 19:52	#4
Karl Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Weston-super-Mare Posts: 190	I saw this in the cinema. There were about another 4 people in there with me. Woefully small turnouts for such a brilliant film.

07-03-2008, 21:55	#7
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	In Bed with Flu you Big Gayer You Ok it's BD & we're mates & all that so Get well soon Honey bunny Wunny Kin Bed with Flu YOU JESSIE __________________

10-03-2008, 18:57	#9
Marmoset Columbian Coffee Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 87	Great film. Watched it a while ago.

07-03-2008, 22:06	#10
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	Acquiring it now __________________