Take what ever social comment what you want from this outstanding British film, but you can't take away from the fact that this is a well crafted love letter to director Shane Meadows youth.
Meadows managers to capture the early 80's perfectly, with the up rising of the skin head culture, but does it through a childs eyes.
The film really does hit home for us in our mid thirties, as we were of a similar age of the kid in the film. So well does Meadows capture the early part of the decade, it does start to bring back the memories of the long summer breaks from school. But the under belly of the film is a stark and brutal reminder of the social and racial unrest a quater of a century ago and of now, and how many things have progressed, but somethings will always remain the same.
If I could pick one fault with this otherwise perfect film, it's with the eleven year old kid and his mid-teen girlfriend, although very sweet, it's the only note in this film that never rings… more »

Take what ever social comment what you want from this outstanding British film, but you can't take away from the fact that this is a well crafted love letter to director Shane Meadows youth.
Meadows managers to capture the early 80's perfectly, with the up rising of the skin head culture, but does it through a childs eyes.
The film really does hit home for us in our mid thirties, as we were of a similar age of the kid in the film. So well does Meadows capture the early part of the decade, it does start to bring back the memories of the long summer breaks from school. But the under belly of the film is a stark and brutal reminder of the social and racial unrest a quater of a century ago and of now, and how many things have progressed, but somethings will always remain the same.
If I could pick one fault with this otherwise perfect film, it's with the eleven year old kid and his mid-teen girlfriend, although very sweet, it's the only note in this film that never rings true.
Just when you though director Meadows could not get any better after the amazing Dead Man's Shoes, he pulls the rugs under our feet and leaves our jaws on the floor, with this instant classic.
This is accurate, this is raw, this is angry and THIS IS ENGLAND,THIS IS A CLASSIC!