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Based on the childhood of writer and director Shane Meadows, This is England evokes the early 80s with everything from the archive news footage at the beginning and the soundtrack music to the anti-Thatcher graffiti on the wall of the church near Shaun’s house. Clothes also play an important role, with Shaun’s naff 70s flares at the beginning a nice contrast to the much more typically 80s wardrobes of the rest of the characters.
One of the (many) reasons This is England works so well is how well drawn all of the characters are. They all feel fleshed out and real, from Smell (Rosamund Hanson) with her Boy George make-up and hair, to the group's teaboy and general slave, Gadget (Andrew Lewis Peter Ellis). But it’s the central characters that really carry the film. Lol is given real depth by Vicky McClure, as she attempts to keep the group together at Woody’s side. The two central personalities of the group are brilliantly brought to life: Stephen Graham conveys a real sense of the danger and violence of Combo with every word and gesture, while Joe Gilgun has an easy charisma as the kind-hearted Woody.
But the real triumph of the film is Thomas Turgoose as Shaun. Only 13 at the time of filming, he’d never acted before and had been banned from taking part in a school play because of bad behaviour. The £5 Shane Meadows paid Turgoose to attend the audition for This is England was a bargain: his performance is truly astonishing. Lashing out at anyone who slights his father or the war he died in, Shaun is still suffering from the trauma of his loss, and Turgoose plays it magnificently.
Shane Meadows directs the film with great care and love, nurturing brilliant performances from his cast. I’m a complete sucker for any shot of people walking in a line in slow motion, and here Meadows uses the technique marvellously to convey the joy that Shaun feels in being accepted by Woody and the group. The first half of the film so successfully evokes that feeling of excitement and belonging that the second half of the film is all the more painful to watch - I can understand why Meadows chose to return to these characters in This is England ’86, a new four part TV series for Channel 4. The violent climax of the film is almost impossible to watch, but Meadows’ direction remains powerful and unflinching.
Evocative, violent, powerful and moving, This is England will stay with you long after you watch it.
- See This is England tonight at 11.10pm on Channel 4, while This is England ’86 starts tomorrow night at 10pm.
I watched this for the third time last night and it hasn't lost any of the impact of the first viewing. Absolutely magnificent writing, acting and directing. It is just unfortunate that for many it has developed into something for the big brother generation, as though the most important thing about this film is that children swear and are openly racist. But I suppose reactions like this are (sadly) unavoidable.
Nevertheless, this is a jewel in the crown of British film-making and acts as another important peice of evidence against the tragic axing of the UK film council.
I, for one, can not wait to see what Meadows makes of the 4-part 'This is England '86'. But I can only hope that the audiences are made up of people who will genuinely appreciate the drama rather than those looking to fill the time before another series of 'Skins'.
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