X
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 41 m
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 41 m
Summary It's 1983, 12-year-old Shaun is an isolated lad growing up in a grim coastal town, whose father has died fighting in the Falklands war. He finds fresh males role models when those in the local skinhead scene take him in. Here he meets Combo, an older, racist skinhead who has recently got out of prison. As Combo's gang harass the local et...
Directed By: Shane Meadows
Written By: Shane Meadows
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 41 m
- 2007
- Not Rated
- IFC Films
- 1 h 41 m
This Is England
8.0
Where to Watch
Summary It's 1983, 12-year-old Shaun is an isolated lad growing up in a grim coastal town, whose father has died fighting in the Falklands war. He finds fresh males role models when those in the local skinhead scene take him in. Here he meets Combo, an older, racist skinhead who has recently got out of prison. As Combo's gang harass the local et...
Directed By: Shane Meadows
Written By: Shane Meadows
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
86
96% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
4% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
86
96% Positive
22 Reviews
22 Reviews
4% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Masterfully charted and acted.
Taut, tense, and self-consciously stylish.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 87 User Ratings
8.0
91% Positive
79 Ratings
79 Ratings
7% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 87 User Ratings
8.0
91% Positive
79 Ratings
79 Ratings
7% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
I will review this movie according to how it made me feel, which is like Reservoir Dogs, not in script, but in tone. The characters mesh together in a community much the same way that Reservoir Dogs did. A movie that successfully captures a community is very special, Goodfellas being probably the best example. The music matched the tone very well. Popular songs played across slo mo video, partly where the Reservoir Dogs feel came from. The original score was also very beautiful, and far more effective than expected. Beautiful piano and orchestra will sneak up on you, never expected that from a white supremacist movie.
I think if someone were to make a low budget movie, going for cool characters above anything else is the way to go, cool doesn't cost anything really.
The photography was also very well done, it felt kind of like a grainy home movie which really helped the tone. The camera is always close in, which should feel claustrophobic but it works here, feels like you are there hanging out in a crowded party.
Stephen Graham (Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire, Babyface Nelson in Public Enemies) is always a joy to see, he has a quality that is like an annoying little brother you tolerate and hope to see him mature and get control over his emotions before he causes trouble.
This is probably the best example of a kid being exploited by his own emotional angst, that he never took the time to understand exactly what he was angry about.
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My favourite British film. Sure, at times the acting is clunky (particularly amongst the child actors - who without exception improve in the TV sequels) but the ambience, the setting are pure nostalgic genius. The story hits home as a true part of Thatcher's legacy, with Stephen Graham's Combo bringing amazing insight and emotional power to his character, who is caught up in anti-pakistani sentiment of the time. Thomas Turgoose's acting is also worthy of note - unfortunately he has since failed to live up to his career's beginnings, however here he takes us with him as he struggles to find his place amongst the other characters in the story. The real shame is that Joe Gilgun doesn't have more screen time. His character, Woody, provides the perfect foil to Combo, but it isn't a relationship that is explored in any depth until the sequels.
The relationship between Smell (a 15 year old girl) and Shawn (an 11 year old boy) has drawn some criticism, but that stuff happened, and probably still happens today. It was presented in a wholly realistic, if awkwardly acted, manner.
As a political allegory it serves to remind us that once upon a time, not all that long ago, our perceived "enemies" were different to those today. Replacing anger towards "pakis" today with Eastern Europeans and Muslims.
Shane Meadows has stated that the story unfolds as a reflection of his own childhood. This comes across in the film, which reminds me also of the dark times in my childhood in that period. I knew people like those depicted in the film, both those that embraced the racist rhetoric of the National Front, and those who saw past it and stayed out of the nonsense. Besides this, the clothing, the poor decoration in the homes, and the struggles of Shawn's mother against poverty are all spot on for the time.
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A small film that packs a big wallop.
Somewhere between the pop jouissance of Guy Ritchie and the social realism of Ken Loach, this ballsy drama freeze-frames bleak Thatcherite Yorkshire and exposes its racist underbelly.
The 34-year-old Meadows has assembled an effective cast, especially newcomer Thomas Turgoose as Shaun and veteran Stephen Graham as Combo.
Facile pop psychology is the real tragedy here, a double disappointment given the film's smart take on pop culture.
Very genuine and honest movie! The ending is heartbreaking. Stephen Graham shows one of the strongest and best perfomances I have EVER seen. The inner conflict and vulnerability that he potrays as the character combo, is deeply moving, but in such a subtle way, that it becomes a very unique performance!
One of my favorite movies!
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A film that digs into the heart and soul of human beings, that tests the limits and boundaries one will go to not only for friendship, but for love, This Is England is one of the defining films of the decade. It has the most influential, surprising and emotional performances of any film, and could certainly contend with being one of the best British films ever made.
We are introduced to Shaun, a 12 year-old schoolboy who is dealing with the loss of his father in the Falklands war, and a boy who also has quite an attitude of not giving in when criticism or verbal abuse comes his way, the part played by Thomas Turgoose, and its safe to say you will be in awe of this young lads performance, his acting puts across this stubborn behaviour of Shaun, something which lands him in trouble, but also which introduces him to a group of youths in a tunnel, who immediately feel sorry for him and take the young lad under their wing. These group of people, led by Woody (Joseph Gilgun), are skinheads, the prominent and often highly publicised subculture of shaved head and punk style appearance.
Shaun immediately fits in with the band of misfits, who are really a sympathetic bunch, but when Combo, a former member, is released from prison, he seeks to return to the old ways of taking an almost white supremacy stance, ridding their country of anyone who isn't British. The part of Combo is in my personal opinion the highlight of the film, his unpredictable yet heartwarming attitude with Shaun is portrayed in undeniable perfection by Stephen Graham. A scene involving himself and Turgoose as Shaun when they speak about how Combo will be there for him when others aren't is truly moving, and shot beautifully to capture the gritty effort going into the performances.
But of course, This is England isn't without its brutality, and the language and violence, while minimal, truly show a glimpse of the life of these youths, and what they felt under the rule of Margaret Thatcher.Shane Meadows has truly created one of the finest films of the decade and shoots i na wonderful manner, but the performances, especially from Graham and Turgoose are exceptional, with the more candid and personal scenes being the standout parts.
With the racial segregation and attitude of those that felt rage towards their countries political agenda are brought to light in the film and addressed, but for others there is also a light of acceptance shown for those who the wider world would believe wouldn't be a part of it, true human behaviour and emotional depth has been outlined in one of the finest films of this generation.
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Brilliant. Almost every scene is perfection. Contains intense scenes that slowly creep up on you. Right up there with Trainspotting I have to admit. Now i want to see the series that came after.
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In condemned racism
Sean is a 12-year-old boy who meets and joins a group of young skinheads led by Woody, and this membership in the group brings him adventures. This film tries to have a realistic structure by using documentary scenes, especially from the Falkand Islands war. The film has a strong anti-racist view in its inner layers and moves based on subcultures in the society and is remarkable in this sense.
But the film is actually two parts and the trend changes from the middle of the film and even important characters like Woody disappear from the middle of the film and the film takes a different direction. Therefore, it seems that the script does not have enough focus and the secondary characters do not have an effective role in the film.
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Awards
British Independent Film Awards
• 2 Wins & 7 Nominations
London Critics Circle Film Awards
• 3 Nominations
Mons International Festival of Love Films
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
