To some people, this film comes across as glorifying racism, when it is in fact showcasing the complete opposite. Through the eyes of Shaun, an easily-swayed teen, This is England depicts the lead character going through what you can say is a coming-of-age experience where he makes severe choices to appease and fit in with new crowds, some choices he later comes to regret. Hence, making the "glorifying racism" aspect completely contrary.
As someone who was brought up in a multicultural town in Northern England, this film hits deep, as I've experienced and witnessed first-hand the near social-disjointedness between ethnic groups in modern society. Scary to think that in nearly forty years from which This is England is set, real-life England is still suffocating from archaic morals.
Shane Meadows has not made a film with This is England. He's made a statement, a statement which says that this shit happened, this shit still happens and this shit will continue to happen if nothing is done to stop it.
Heart-wrenching to watch, but watch you must.
Very good movie with some important messages and superb acting. 7.5/10
Touching story and great acting.
A very interesting experience of immersing yourself in the punk/skin subculture of England. A boy is looking for his way in life/friends, but it seems that they are leading you by the hand. Gives the start to an excellent series. 2 emotions after watching. It seems like if we were to go back in time, then so be it it was. It’s sad, why doesn’t anyone film something like that about us?
Very impressive, the opening credits scene basically tells the entire story of the movie, showing how the 80's are often remembered on the surface juxtaposed with a darker reality at the same time. Case in point, the 80's are nowadays seen as this cheesy decade filled with fanny packs, bright colors and happy songs, but there were massive socioeconomic problems boiling under the surface, the ripple effects of which are still felt today. I love how the filmmaking perfectly captures the decade with the lighting, editing, music and film grain. I was also very compelled by the journey of the main character, it very effectively illustrates how young people get wrapped up in these toxic subcultures without pointing the finger at a single cause, but several instead ( lack of a father figure, parents who are unable to identify problematic situations and act accordingly, governments who are unwilling to provide aid for social outcasts, etc. ), and again, it all still feels relevant. The acting is amazing, it feels incredibly authentic, even the little kid was incredibly good. The characters are all well developed and interesting, really like the direction they took with Woody by showing the agency in this social group. My only real complaint is that we don't get to see how Combo's story wraps up, I really feel like they needed to show that.
9/10
Strong film, good social realism. Then there are so very more to raise about skinhead culture but it would be too messy. However, had hoped for a little more street punk and Thatcher hatred in the movie.
It is very good this chronicle of a child in the English of the 80s, the actors, script and music are fine.
Raw and real. Thatcher's Britian depicted in all its complexities. Spectacular.
Shout by RedouaneBlockedParent2014-05-20T18:02:18Z
This movie swings between touching and disturbing in a very nice way, and the acting is simply spectacular..