This Is England (DVD)

This is an excellent film.
i would defently recommend watching it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shaun [Thomas Turgoose]is a lonely 12 year old who wanders about on his own, and missing his father who has been killed in action in the Faulklands War. Bullied by older kids[mainly because he's still wearing flared trousers], Shaun is befriended by a group of likeable, peaceful skinheads led by the charming Woody ["Emmerdale"'s Joseph Gilgum]. The skinheads give Shaun an image make over [creating some of the most amusing scenes in the film] and make his life a little brighter and happier than it has been. However, a former member of their group Combo [brilliantly played in intimidating but vulnerable fashion by Stephen Graham] appears fresh from prison dividing the group immediately with his far right political views. After giving a passionate speech, Combo entices Shaun and two other members of the group into joining the National Front. Shaun just wants to make his dead father proud and doesn't realise the terrible consequences until Combo has gone too far.

Although the film provides what is often an ugly [some would say truthful] view of 1980s Britain it's done perfectly through authentic imagery - even down to the graffitti on the walls - and brilliant performances from Turgoose and Graham in particular. Plus archive footage of key news images [mainly from the Faulklands] from the 1980s are interspersed to show the contradictory image of Britain portrayed between Shaun's life and what the media showed at the time.

This film is very different from the usual view of skinhead culture. The characters are believable, non stereotypical and likeable. It even pokes fun at the National Front - its members spraying badly spelt racist graffiti, abusing kids and having a conference in the back of a remote dingy pub - doesn't exactly make them a political force. The film also examines the issues of masculinity, youth subculture as well as the political reasoning behind the group.

An absolutely brilliant film although be warned the swearing is both frequent and very strong, and given the subject matter there is racist language featured. Fortunately there is only one scene of graphic violence that is difficult to watch, but it was very necessary for the film, and is built up perfectly. A must see. Oh, and the soundtrack is fantastic.

A good film with some unexpected twists. Excellent acting and you can't help but warm to some of the characters.

Just the right mix of laughs and tears. Definately not a lighthearted film though.
Worth watching!