In A Nutshell: Ken Loach’s portrait of life for teenage Port Glasgow chav Liam, whose already less-than-ideal situation careens into much darker waters when he starts moonlighting as an opportunist class-A dealer.
Why You May Have Missed It: Loach had intended it to be seen almost exclusively by teenagers of similar age to the protagonist, and was aghast when the BBFC - citing over 200 occurrences of the word ‘fuck’ in 106 minutes - slapped an 18 certificate on it.
Why Missing It Is Mad: It’s astonishing, agonising, and bleaker than a coach tour of Pluto. Unknown local Martin Compston is a revelation as the plucky but naïve Liam, helping the downbeat ending to become the real choker it is. Hugely underrated - a truly great British movie.
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Comments
Hadouken76
Dec 11th 2009, 15:39
id like to add that zatoichi, twilight samurai, dirty pretty things, in search of a midnight kiss, dead mans shoes to that list and even though it came out in 1998 i still think legend of 1900 is an underated gem
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sjsmith88
Dec 11th 2009, 18:28
I didn't miss You and Me and Everyone We Know, I caught it. Wish I hadn't. Following your 4-star review I had it in my head that I was in for a pleasant little indie. Instead it was your run-of-the-mill pretentious art-house rubbish. Dreadful.
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skinjob
Dec 12th 2009, 8:38
I'd like to add taxidermy - not a pleasant film to watch by any stretch of a twisted imagination but worth watching for the second and third acts on its own and the climactic scene is one that will stay wih me for a long time! if swallowed - do not induce vomiting!!
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namedropper
Dec 13th 2009, 14:24
We call them Neds and not Chavs up our way and I thought Sweet Sixteen was mainly set in Greenock and not the Port! Anyway I'd like to add Dear Frankie as a movie also set in the same area. Cracking performances from all concerned but especially the child playing Frankie. Will bring a tear to your eyes! Still hoping that Gerard Butler and Emily Mortimer will get together at some point!
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domduck
Dec 14th 2009, 11:21
The Year of the Dog should be in here - and Waitress. The perfect hangover double-bill.
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