Film Review: This Is England

IN a week where the (supposed) best of British has been celebrated at the star-studded Brit Awards Ceremony, it seems only fitting that Shane Meadows' deeply moving drama This Is England finds itself on our screens this weekend.
The film is a semi-autobiographical tale set in 1980s Britain, focusing on 12-year-old Shaun Field, who befriends a small gang of skinheads and is drawn into a world of racism and violence.
Having been bullied at school about his father's death in the Falklands War, Shaun is on his way home when he finds solace in the company of the skinhead youths, who decide to take him under their wing.
All seems well until the group is divided by the return of their intimidating nationalist leader Combo following his release from prison.
Blaming the country's economic woes and increasing unemployment rates on the rise of ethnic minorities in England, Combo plays on the loss of Shaun's father in order to convert the youngster's mindset.
After attending a National Front meeting, Combo and his new recruit begin to terrorise the local Pakistani community, but before long, Combo's internal battles start to surface, resulting in a shocking explosion of hatred and envy and transforming Shaun's way of thinking for a second time.
The movie is full of stellar performances, but none more so than that of the young Thomas Turgoose, who plays Shaun, as he encapsulates both the innocence of youth and the rawness of the working class perfectly.
Credit must also go to Stephen Graham for his jaw-dropping turn as the intensely terrifying Combo.
Having already brought us unique works such as Once Upon a Time in the Midlands and the truly epic Dead Man's Shoes, Shane Meadows' distinctive directorial stamp is once again evident throughout this picture, with the film set deep in the bleak and impoverished Midlands during Margaret Thatcher's reign.
Ultimately uplifting and with a clear message, This Is England is a genuine 'must-see' movie, and anyone who believes British cinema is dead should be subjected to repeat viewings!