welcome to the dark side of London (Kidulthood Special Edition (DVD))

Member Name: ajbluestar

Product:	Kidulthood Special Edition (DVD)
Date:	07/09/09 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: well made, does cover realistic issues faced by teens in London

Disadvantages: violence, bad language etc, not completely realistic for what happens in 24 hours

Introduction

Having grown up in London and gone to a school with all kinds of different characters in it including some like those portrayed in this film I was interested in watching this film. It was originally shown on television on the BBC. It looks at teenage life living in West London in the Ladbroke Grove area. Some people have suggested it is over the top as everything happens in one day.This is probably true but the issues in it are real and do reflect the kind of things that do go on with this particular demographic of the population. London is usually portrayed as somewhere quite glamorous and fashionable especially with films such as Notting Hill and Wimbledon but this film provides a different angle and look at life in the capital.

Plot

The film tells the stories of a number of kids given the day off school after a girl commits suicide after being bullied. What takes place over the next 24 hours includes a relentless tide of booze, drug taking, underage sex, stealing as well as Gun-crime.

The film begins with a girl who has suffered horrific bullying at school who commits suicide. This leaves 15 year old Trife (Aml Ameen) and his two friends with the day off school. Trife starts the day by learning the unwanted news that his on-off girlfriend is pregnant and the baby might be his. Frustrated at hearing this, he sets off with his friends and embarks on a day of increasingly dangerous mischief. Set alongside this is the story of his girlfriend, her doubts about keeping her baby and her moral free friend who iswilling to do anything to acquire money and drugs. Their paths are set to collide and result in a climax.

Opinion

This movie has sparked some controversy in the UK for 'glorifying' the violence, sex and drugs portrayed but that is not really true. This is essentially a deeply moral tale at heart. The acting was over the top at times but generally was very good to the point where it felt that it was not a film but you were watching someone's life unfold in front of you.The director chooses locations that are truly urban and accurate. The music in the film and soundtrack also goes well with the film with urban Uk artists such as The Streets , Dizzee Rascal and Arkane. It probably appeals to the younger generation alot more especially those under the age of 25 who can relate to issues in the film but if you can get over certain things it can be enjoyed by anyone. Those who have a problem keeping up with the slang of today, let alone British slang put together by the youth in London, might run into another problem trying to enjoy this film. This is how certain people do talk though (innit, blud, bruv , shanked etc). Those who are ready and want a fresh urban story with a strong message in the spirit of 'Kids' should give 'Kidulthood' a try.

Overall it is a thoroughly entertaining watch and is a great Uk film.


Film details:

Directed by Menhaj Huda

Produced by Menhaj Huda
James Armitage
Ray Panthaki
Damian Jones
Pierre Mascolo (exe.)
Marco Costa(exe.)
Written by Noel Clarke

Starring Aml Ameen
Red Madrell
Adam Deacon
Jaime Winstone
Femi Oyeniran
Madeleine Fairley
Cornell John
Kate Magowan
Pierre Mascolo
with Rafe Spall
and Noel Clarke

Music by The Angel
Arkane
The Streets

Cinematography Brian Tufano

Editing by Victoria Boydell

Distributed by Revolver Entertainment
Release date(s) 3 March 2006
Running time 89 min.

Summary: entertaining watch