This Is England

This Is England by director Shane Meadows is a hard gripping story about growing up in the beginning of the eighties in England. Following a young boy who comes to be part of a group of skinheads, Meadows serves his audience a delightful portrait of England that has its roots strongly grounded into the country's background and its context. This Is England draws heavily on political subjects and touches on topics that are still very much alive in contemporary England. Especially considering the possibility of falling apart in different independent regions like Scotland or Wales. This Is England gives a lot of thought to what England is, it's own identity and how some people look upon it. It's a film which shows Englands urge to stay pure. The story is poured into a very solid narrative structure, beginning fresh, introducing its characters and setting up their relationships. It's a coming of age story seen through the eyes of a young boy, Shaun. It's he who leads the audience into the ideas and views certain people have and through him these ideas come to show. The cast of the film is very strong, with an especially great performance by Stephen Graham as tough guy Combo who, although very unlikely, seems to also have a soft spot. His emotions are very heartfelt and raw. He lures you in to his side and makes you care for him, even though he's actually the least likely person you, as a viewer, would expect to have compassion with. Only a really good performance can turn an unsympathetic character into a real human being with feelings that you end up caring for. Graham is perfect for the role and gets the full opportunity to show his range. The story is supported by a great soundtrack that combines the modern with the classic. The whole feeling of the film is the eighties. Use of bright colours and specific clothing give the feeling of England in this past time. Meadows takes the time to, besides naratively, telling with a story, also tell visually. Showing the group of teenagers and twenty year olds walking through the streets next to each other, acting tough, boys opposite girls. It reminds you of old music videos that have come to picture this period of time. What is most interesting about This Is England, though, is the way the film goes through this kind of evolution. It starts out very friendly, and even has some funny jokes, showing a bit of comedy and situations the audience can relate to, because they too were once young and naïve as little Shaun. Then the story progresses and a change is caused due to the introduction of Stephen Graham's character, Combo. The balance that was created between some of the characters is broken and the group falls apart into two, with each going its own way. In the middle of all this we find Shaun, who is the main character of the film, but who's role is not as central anymore as it once was in the beginning. There's a gradual change. After this split the film becomes more harsh and a more violent. Suddenly the seriousness of its topic becomes more aware and comes to take its place at the forefront and the whole historical aspect starts to emerge. It's this context the story is placed in which make it so interesting. The film starts with images of real events showing Margaret Thatcher, providing for the film's historical and political context. It's a great way to put the film into a bigger picture. This Is England really is a film that will feed you with thoughts and ideas. Not only does it tell a nice story, but it also shares importance and shows England's history and its views that make you question.

What is it about?

Shaun a young boy who gets teased at school, one afternoon falls into the hands of a group of young skinheads. The leader of the gang soon takes Shaun under his wing and in no time Shaun becomes part of their group. With a bald head and new clothes, he suddenly is one of the cool kids. Finally feeling part of a group and the feeling of belonging, Shaun starts to light up and is thrown into new experiences especially when it comes to girls. All seems fun and cool, until a former member shows up who has spent some time in jail in order to protect the gang's leader. This guy, Combo, turns out to be a man with very dangerous ideas and beliefs that will influence Shaun and introduce him into a world he never knew. Being at times very agressive and suffering from heavy mood swings that can turn him into an uncontrollable animal, Combo breaks the group of skinheads into two. Shaun takes Combo's side and all of a sudden is part of a radical group that fights for the purity of England, meaning they arden't too fond of immigrants and share beliefs that are racist. One of the boys Milky, therefore isn't entirely excepted, because of his skin colour that doesn't match the pure whiteness of the group. Getting more agressive as time moves on, Shaun has to decide wheter to stay and except the ways Combo fights for his beliefs, or head back into his old life choosing his own life's direction without the help of a father figure.

Final Verdict: ****1/2

I was pretty surprised about how good This Is England turned out to be. The social aspect of the film really distinguishes it from other European cinema. It seems that a lot of British directors feel the need to tell stories not only for the people but also about the people. They heavily touch on British culture, either way through comedy like Hot Fuzz or through drama as in Mike Leigh's Secrets & Lies or even Trainspotting. Showing its social awareness makes it more important. This Is England provides a depiction of a certain time and the importance of certain events of that period. It makes the film very interesting and places it in the line of one of those films that really have something to tell and that add to the knowledge of its audience. It's not just entertainment and is far more politically charged than most movies. It's a great mix that I think every film should have and would take it onto a higher level. This Is England not just only shows but teaches and provides information about a lifestyle and certain views people might have. It's a very solid film that has much to offer, both stylistically as well as narratively and historically. With beautiful images and music it draws a great portrait of a time that is still very identifiable today. The story holds relation to both past and present. The topics that This Is England shows are still very much alive and going on. At times it could be hard to watch, definitely towards the end, but it never gets too graphic. There's some violence, but it's not shown in full very often. It is this violence, this switch from light drama with comedy elements to harder drama with some tragedy, that makes it very versatile and likeable for a wide audience. There's a lot you can relate to or recognize, especially with Shaun. The last shots of the film are simply amazing. The cinematography is perfect as is the music that supports these images. The very last shot with which the movie ends is a breathtaking moment with everything coming to a full circle closure. It leaves its viewers with thoughts about Shaun's possible future and certain emotions they can dwell on minutes after the film's ending. This Is England is a film that really makes you want to see it again one day, because it has a lot of beautiful things to offer. It's a very strong film that could become of great importance in the near future.