Life’s Too Short Season 1 DVD Review

Starring Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Rosamund Hanson, Steve Brody and Jo Enright

Series created by Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

Written and Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

The team behind The Office and Extras, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, are back with another HBO/BBC co-production: Life’s Too Short, now available on DVD from HBO Home Entertainment. Life’s Too Short stars Warwick Davis, star of Willow and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as he plays an egotistical and self centered version of himself. Returning to the faux documentary style with great success in the Office, the question remains will that style work for them a second time in Life’s Too Short?

The seven episode series centres on Warwick Davis, or a fictional version of him, who is one of Britain’s preeminent dwarf actors, or at least

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Life’s Too Short Season 1 DVD Review

Starring Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Rosamund Hanson, Steve Brody and Jo Enright

Series created by Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

Written and Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant

The team behind The Office and Extras, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, are back with another HBO/BBC co-production: Life’s Too Short, now available on DVD from HBO Home Entertainment. Life’s Too Short stars Warwick Davis, star of Willow and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, as he plays an egotistical and self centered version of himself. Returning to the faux documentary style with great success in the Office, the question remains will that style work for them a second time in Life’s Too Short?

The seven episode series centres on Warwick Davis, or a fictional version of him, who is one of Britain’s preeminent dwarf actors, or at least he is desperately attempting to hold on to the title. Warwick also runs an agency dedicated to finding for other dwarves: Dwarves for Hire, along with his dimwitted secretary Cheryl (Hanson). Some feel Warwik abuses this position in order to keep the roles for himself. Warwick is also going through a divorce from his wife Sue (Enright). Davis is also frequently visiting the offices of Gervais and Merchant, playing versions of themselves, who quite frankly cannot be bothered dealing with Davis and frequently offer him terrible advice.  We follow Warwick through a series of embarrassing and uncomfortable sequences, but despite his brash and callous posturing, we still find a way to cheer him on in the long run.

Life’s Too Short is sort of a mixed bag of a series. The show is very hit and miss, but when it hits the results are hilarious. A lot of the series focuses on putting Davis into very awkward social experiences, which can still be funny, but do tend to become monotonous as a lot of them focus on Warwick’s height. Warwick is really good here in the role of a smarmy, creepy and outright despicable at times former ‘star’ desperately trying to hold on. His treatment of people, especially the women in his life, is callous and unforgivable for the most part, but comes from a deep seeded desire to succeed as fame and fortune continue to slip away. Gervais and Merchant are here in supporting roles, popping up for a couple of minutes each episode in their office. Warwick’s right hand is the loveable Cheryl played with aplomb by Hanson. Her Cheryl is responsible for some of the biggest laughs from the show regulars.

Much Like Extras, Life’s Too Short features a litany of guest stars from famous friends. This time around we get Liam Neeson, Johnny Depp, Sting, Steve Carrell, Helena Bonham Carter and Cat Deely. Neeson’s turn is almost worth buying the disc alone, as his appearance ranks as  one of the best things Merchant and Gervais have ever written and will have you doubled over in laughter. But the Depp and Bonham Carter turns are underwhelming, especially Depp’s turn which makes him look petty and creepy. Much like The Office, Life’s Too Short features very minimal locations and keeps the filming to a simple handheld style. The faux documentary style does not stay static though, as with the Office, there are the times that the camera is roaming and does not stick strictly to the documentary style to move the story along.

The set includes a half-hour making of special, half an hour of behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes and outtakes. The making of special is very funny, with a lot of Ricky Gervais busting out laughing on set and a hilarious take with Gervais refusing to call cut at the end of the featurette. The behind the scenes segments are fun, though most are repeated from the ‘making of ‘special. The outtakes are mainly busted takes as people on set laugh uncontrollably.

Life’s Too Short is not a perfect series, there are many areas that fall flat, are genuinely uncomfortable to watch or are just not funny. But the series when at its best is one of the most insightful and funny pieces of entertainment out there, shedding light on issues that dwarves deal with every day mixed into the ludicrous antics of Davis and his own issues with his height. These moments are when the series tend to work best. With a sale price under $25 on Amazon, Life’s Too Short is worth a buy for some of its best moments, the Neeson appearance alone, and is well worth a rental. Life’s Too Short is a recommend.

Till Next Time,

Movie Junkie TO

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This film shows how easy it is for people, especially children, to be affected by the people around them and starting to hate everyone who doesn’t fit into their tiny box of “normal”. I saw it for the first time in school several years ago and even then I couldn’t hold back the tears. For me, the film is not mainly about racism, but it focuses on a group of broken individuals how’s only trying to find a meaning in their lives.

Shane Meadows, who’s both writer and director, has used his own experiences as inspiration while making this film. Knowing this in the back of your head while watching This is England makes the film creep even deeper under your skin and makes you think about all the hate that sadly exists in our world.

IMDb – 7.7/10

Me – 8.5/10

Thanks to HBO, this show and Ricky Gervais’ Animated Podcast were brought to my

Let the awkwardness ensue.

attention at the same time. I love both of them and this show was just quicker to finish (other review coming shortly). Life’s Too Short follows Warwick Davis, the person and the character, around for 7 episodes seeing just what kind of mischief he gets into in his typical life. But this isn’t your average Warwick Davis, the lovable Wicket Ewok we see when he was 11 in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. This is something more horrendous.

Now that’s a great pic.

Warwick in this show is a selfish, deceitful, and overall poor sport actor down on his luck. He feels his fame should be giving him more than it is right now and he won’t let anyone get in his way. He has small man syndrome (and appropriately so) and is always offended by midget. I have a fear of midgets usually (saw Chucky too early and connected the two) but when it’s Warwick Davis, you have to love him.

I mean, look at his career. There’s Star Wars, The BBC specials of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series, and the amazing Leprechaun series (I love it and always will. Too funny and classic.) The 10th Kingdom, my favorite, and the Harry Potter series as Flitwick, the Charms Professor. He has a better and more lucrative career than a lot of little people, and people love him for that. I haven’t seen Willow yet (a running joke in the

The creators shunning the little guy. Classic.

show) but I damn well plan on watching it now.

This show highlights everything that Gervais and Merchant wanted to do in The Office. After meeting Warwick in Gervais’ Extras, they started talking about this project. With my hopes up for more than a Christmas Special (come on Season 2…) I really enjoyed this awkward social situational comedy from the masters.

Rosamund Hanson. She’s got nothin goin on… upstairs.

Every episode hits you harder than the last, with some great star appearances thrown in. I must say, I don’t like Johnny Depp, but in this show he really knows how to make fun of himself. Liam Neeson was hilarious (although unintentionally), and Sting was just a dick. I loved Warwick’s dimwitted assistant, Cheryl (Rosamund Hanson) and everything she said and how she said it was pure comic gold. I know it’s wrong to think that when Warwick falls over during the show is the funniest part, but it’s one of those old gags you never get tired of seeing. Warwick himself was funny, but he knows how funny it is for a little person to struggle in normal everyday things.

Critics said this show was too awkward and similar to The Office that Gervais and Merchant were just getting lazy. Sure they were lazy. But they were lazy with a formula that was going to work from the

The toilet troll emerges!

beginning no matter what. I sincerely relish awkward moments in TV and movies (especially real life) and seeing a show that focuses on it to the point of painful, that’s spot on comedy. The drier and darker the better. Although I did at some points want Warwick to win some of the moments in life, it just wasn’t in the cards. Oh well, you win some, you lose most.

So with an awkward show like this and a dwarf who can poke fun at themselves, it’s fun to watch a car wreck comedy. Don’t wanna look, but can’t stop. Oh, and here’s the real Warwick for ya, just so you know where he’s coming from. Enjoy just like I enjoyed Series 1. 8.6 out of 10.

The Help - I loved this film, I thought it tackled a difficult subject but was fulfilled astonishingly. The acting in The Help is absolutely astounding, with phenomenal performances from, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Jessica Chastain. The Help does have many flaws but that doesn’t stop it being a beautiful little story filled with amazing acting. This is a great watch that can be viewed by the whole family and it is definitely worth your time.

This Is England 88′ - In my eyes this is one of the greatest British television series that has been produced in years, it is absolutely phenomenal. This Is England 88′ is a spin-off from the brilliant movie This Is England, the series still focuses on just as dark troubling issues as the film, varying from racism, to rape, to suicide. These dark issues are what make this show such an intriguing drama along with the breathtaking acting from young British actors that I wish we could see in many more films. This Is England 88′ may not be for everyone as it does focus on some dark issues but it really is a great 1980′s drama that everyone should at least give ago.

My Week With Marilyn - Another brilliant Oscar worthy film is released this week in the UK. My Week With Marilyn is a light charming affair that centres on the multitalented woman Marilyn Monroe. This film is worth a watch just see the great performances from Kenneth Branagh and Michelle Williams. The film does feel a little puny compared the the astounding performance Williams delivers. If you are a Monroe fan this film is right up your ally but even if you aren’t this film is still worth your time, just for the astonishing acting and the interesting subject matter.

Jane Eyre - Yes, this is another take on the classic tale Jane Eyre, but this one is actually pretty good. This is yet another film this week that has absolutely brilliant acting throughout, Mia Wasikowska delivers her finest performance yet, I think it can safely be said that she makes a better Jane than Alice. Jane Eyre is over ally an extremely well made movie with great costume design, amazing acting and obviously a classically astonishing story. I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone obviously as it isn’t everyones cup of tea, but if you are into classic romance dramas this is definitely one for you to check out.

Bly-Rays To AVOID

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - I don’t mean to offend anyone who is a Twihard fan but this film is poor, very very poor. This is by far the worst of the Twilight Saga, with the acting being the worst yet and the disturbed storyline not really suitable for its younger audience. If you are a fan of this series you my enjoy this film but if this is the first one of the series you have seen then you will leave feeling extremely disturbed and have no idea what is going on. The only people I would recommend this to is delusional teenage girls that love this series just for Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. 

Straw Dogs (2011) - This is a prime example of needless remakes that should have been left alone and never touched by Hollywood. Straw Dogs isn’t necessarily a badly made movie it just feels like the same movie we saw forty years ago just a lot worse and slightly less offensive. This film just feels lazy and I don’t recommend this to anyone, especially if you are a big fan of the original.

All of the films about are released on Monday 12th March so you can pick up the ones you want tomorrow. So what are you picking up this week? Feel free to tell me your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you very much for reading and if you enjoyed this post please feel free to hit that like and follow button.

Gervais: Who is the funniest person alive?

Merchant: Well, obviously you are.

Gervais: Right, and who are the funniest race of people?

Merchant: Well, I’d have to say dwarves.

Gervais: Correct again. So what do we have?

Merchant: Another version of Extras with a dwarf acting just like you?

Gervais: Comedy gold.

You got anything? I'm all out .

So, Gervais and Co. have put out a show called Life’s Too Short, a hilarious pun based on the fact that the show’s leading man is, in fact, a dwarf.

Life’s Too Short is a mockumentary on the life of Warwick Davis, star of Willow and bit player in Star Wars and Harry Potter. He is struggling to make ends meet as an actor, has a pathetic accountant and can’t get a girl. Replace the word ‘accountant’ with ‘agent’ and you have the plot of Extras.

Like Extras, this show relies fairly heavily on special guest stars to draw in the fans. Some guests give more than others. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were fantastic, giving lots of screen time and making themselves come off as total kooks and insensitive pricks. Liam Neeson was great doing improvisational comedy with the crew. Steve Carell had about two minutes via Skype.

Davis does do a great job, I will admit. His awkward ramblings, looks to the camera and funny dancing are all wonderful. Gervais and Merchant make brief appearances in each episode, mostly looking down on other actors in a generally funny way. Steve Brody handles the roll of unbelievably bad accountant well but to me, the star of the show is Davis’ assistant, Cheryl, played by Rosamund Hanson

Look straight at the cam... fine, whatever.

There were a couple of genuinely funny moments, but that’s across the entire 7 episode series. The problem is that the show is a one-joke pony. Warwick Davis is very, very short and that makes things difficult for him, and funny for us. Now I don’t really care about sensitivities. If you want to make jokes about dead babies and dying pandas, fine. I’ll be right there with you, laughing all the way. As long as they’re funny. Most of the short jokes here are nothing special at all.

Here are a few things that dwarves struggle to do:

• Look out of a peep-hole
• Climb bookshelves
• Get out of cars
• Find love
• Cuddle tall women

We get to sit back and laugh hysterically as Warwick attempts all of these to great comedic effect. Is it funny? Well, sort of, I guess. I mean, it’s funny watching bad things happen to other people. Also, anything that is too big or too small is generally amusing so I guess dwarves fit right in, along with novelty sombreros and miniature ponies.

Oh yeah, that guy.

The Office (BBC version) is without a doubt one of the greatest comedy shows around. I’ll happily put it up there alongside Fawlty Towers for uncomfortable comedy. Like Matt LeBlanc however, the sitcom magic ran out of juice and nobody has had the heart to say anything. The Office was full of absolute genius from beginning to end. Extras had some fantastic moments (Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Kate Winslet, I’m looking at you) but was fairly tedious overall. Life’s Too Short has plumbed the depths of mediocrity, and is unfortunately a little too long for my tastes.

Johnny Depp stars in this week’s episode of Life’s Too Short (Picture: BBC)

Johnny Depp on prime-time TV; how cool is that? You have to hand it to Ricky Gervais , he’s got pulling power, though there’s a danger the weekly star turn in Life’s Too Short could detract attention from the travails of star dwarf Warwick Davis .

This week, sidekick Cheryl was tasked with thinking up alternative outlets for her boss. ‘You could be used as bait to catch paedophiles,’ she piped up. Sign her up for The Apprentice.

MORE: Metro meets the actress behind Warwick’s dippy secretary

Rosamund Hanson, who is behind Cheryl, is fast emerging as the star of Life’s Too Short. Not only has she been given the best lines to work with, but her play-doh face and thick, stodgy voice bring the ditzy secretary to life.

Besides, the sad truth is that the rest of the cast aren’t up to scratch. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are playing themselves – and not very well, either – and Warwick Davis is doing the world’s least subtle impression of David Brent.

Even the wonderful Johnny Depp strayed a bit off-piste at times this week, taking his small-minded, big-headed Hollywood act a bit too far. There were certainly moments – mostly involving Depp – that prompted proper, joyful belly laughs, but unfortunately these were few and far between.

It’s easy, but fair, to compare Gervais’ latest series to The Office and Extras and unfortunately Life’s Too Short just doesn’t stand up to the comparison.

I distinctly remember learning about the word ‘oxymoron’ at school; a term which I had relished dropping in en passant in my literary criticism…and which I will forever associate with the compound adjective ‘bittersweet’ that had exemplified its meaning, one bleak and cold morning in a bleak and cold classroom. This memory surfaced to my consciousness as I sat watching This Is England (2006), primarily because this film’s coming-of-age narrative set in the rather bleak times of post-colonialist, Thatcherite England exudes a strong element of bittersweetness that is both eloquently and bluntly projected in the film.

This Is England centres on the fling that the protagonist – twelve-year-old Shaun – had with the Skinhead culture. Shaun’s father had been killed in the Falklands war, and being at the fragile threshold of his vulnerable path into manhood, Shaun finds unlikely refuge from bullying, poverty and loneliness in the camaraderie of young but older Skinheads in the neighbourhood. Whilst at this point in the film, the dangerous aspect of such a relationship is depicted mainly through the derelict settings in which the occasionally delinquent actions take place, the viewer is often beguiled into a mixture of empathy, fascination and contentment by the carnivalesque aspect of the gang, particularly Smell’s (Rosamund Hanson) punky style. In this way, the colourful and eccentric aesthetic of the gang’s attire and behaviour transforms into a symbol of the deceitful façade of Thatcher’s society and her rhetoric –excerpts of which punctuate the film and juxtapose with the harrowing images from the conflict-ridden Falklands are also presented.

The latter clips not only give the film a solid grounding into a reality that is not wholly fictitious, but also injects a bitter dose of reason into the rhetoric of the British National Front. Shaun eventually attends one of their meetings in what might be referred to as the 2^nd part of the film, when he becomes involved in a more hardcore gang of older skinheads. This scene is an uncomfortable one to watch, not only because it presents a little innocent-looking boy exposed to the racist and bigoted speech that the politician delivers to an audience consisting mainly of tough and grown-up men, but also for the manner in which the propaganda is received. There is little of the Orwellian coldness in this scene and the audience is not instructed to chant slogans. More worryingly, the audience jeers and claps on its own accord, individuals strike other individuals on the head when they dare question the authority of the speech, and the fervent applause that follows is pregnant with the hurt of a community which has lost focus.

Although this film strives to make the point that it is the action of people (particularly those with some form of power) that sows the seeds for violence and social unrest, it is also clear that language and discourse can be equally manipulated for ascent in the politics of power. Combo the older gang’s leader’s emotional speech at the contrastingly bland and dilapidated location he gives it in is memorable. Not only is it so for the internal conflict it creates in the gang – but also for the brilliantly clever and raw word-play in the script.

“Fucking Falklands.

What the fuck’s the Falklands?”

…Rhetorically asks Combo, in what is also possibly stark honesty. Credit is due here to Shane Meadows who is the scriptwriter. His work is strengthened by the amazing performances of Stephen Graham (who plays Combo), but also of Joseph Gilgun (who plays Woody, the younger gang’s leader) and, last but not least, Thomas Turgoose (who plays Shaun). It is largely as a result of the brilliant script and brilliant acting that perhaps the most prominent character in the movie is created and grows alongside the rest – that of England itself.

Only a few weeks have passed since London was hit by the biggest riots it had seen in 30 years, and many elements in this film about the early 1980s – the political environment, news about British military interventions abroad and the ‘failure of multiculturalism’ – sound like something out of today’s news bulletin. Whilst ‘bittersweetness’ might somewhat rationally be accepted as the natural order of things, especially when sugar-coated by nostalgia of a time span that is now past , cinematographic art like This Is England does well to shake us from our collective stupor into adjusting the equilibrium of our very own oxymorons.

Highly recommended.

This Is England – Trailer:

________________________________________________________________

This film also reminded me of the following poem by William Blake, entitled London.

Here was British television drama at its finest. The adult themes are strong and graphic. The lead character Lol was superbly played by Vicky McClure with excellent support cast including Rosamund Hanson as compassionate Queen of Hearts, Smell.

Why can’t all British television be this good. Shane Meadows has created a 21st Century Jude the Obscure with 1980s South Yorkshire replacing Wessex as a major character. Never before have I seen such a bleak landscape of rundown estates filmed so beautifully. At one point in the final episode Lol is filmed through long grass in a scene reminiscent of Merchant Ivory‘s film version of A Room With a View.

The use of Ludovico Einaudi‘s “Fly” for the build up to the series’ anticipated, but no less horrific, finale was masterly.

Why can’t all TV drama be this well crafted? The retro series reminded me of the glory days of Channel 4 when edgy television felt considered and intelligent. Shane Meadows I salute you!

You can watch the entire series on 4od. You can also see it on Youtube

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The basic premise is that the twelve year old boy Shaun is having a hard time in the early 1983’s in England. He’s just lost his father in the Falkland wars and he is living with his mother in the poor part of town. The opening sequence shows a montage of 80’s news and sets the scene nicely. We then get introduced to the young Shaun who is bullied at school for wearing the wrong clothes and gets into a fight.

On his way home from school Shaun runs in to a pack of skinheads lead by Woody (Joseph Gilgun) and for some reason Woody takes pity on the young boy and tries to cheer him up. The dynamic of the skinhead pack is reminiscent of a pack of dogs, there’s a lot of snarling and physical correction of behaviour, but at the same time they act like Lost Boys with their own screwed up version of Peter Pan in the lead.

There’s a certain lawlessness to their behaviour, tinged with fantasy, and that has it’s appeal for the young Shaun, who has no other friends and nowhere to pour his anger. He quickly becomes accepted into their circle and adopts all the trappings of a little skinhead, boots and shirt and suspenders.

It’s not until Combo (Stephen Graham) appears on the scene that things take a sinister turn. Combo is fresh out of prison and clearly more political than the rest of the gang. Things get worse from here on out. The gang gets split up and Shaun, for reasons that seem very clear when you operate within the logic of the movie, opts to stay with Combo’s fraction.

It doesn’t end well, but then again, why would it?

It’s hard to avoid the parallel to Geoffrey Wright’s Romper Stomper (1992) and Tony Kaye’s American History X (1998), but there is, for lack of a better wording, a kind of innocence to this movie, probably largely due to the fact that the protagonist is so young. The unpremeditated cruelty of the very young lends itself to a more uncomplicated way of relating to this kind of behaviour. Shaun can’t see the sinister undercurrent to everything that Combo says, but we, the adult viewers, see it and understand it for what it is. It’s easy to be seduced by someone who promises to never leave you, to always look out for you and care for you, especially for a young boy like Shaun who has lost his father and is already toeing the line of acceptable behaviour.

It isn’t until Shaun gets to see Combo behave in a way that is not acceptable within the group, assaulting and beating up one of “their own” that Shaun wakes up to what kind of environment he has found himself in. Basically, it’s all fun and games until someone gets kicked in the head.

I’ve had issues with the convoluted morality of all three films mentioned here. I think it is mostly about the seduction – the attempt to portray these fractions from the inside with an insiders more forgiving eye, that makes them seem a little too lax. Even the attempts at moral anagnorisis always come up a little short. Shaun actually has to see his would be father-figure beat seven different kinds of crap out of someone before he clocks on to there being something wrong with this whole thing.

That being said, this is a movie that provides food for thought, gives at least a glimpse into the mechanisms behind what makes a group of people chose this lifestyle. The acting is solid all the way through, and that includes the young Thomas Turgoose, who plays Shaun with a lack of artifice that makes all the difference. The movie stands and falls with his performance so that was a clever piece of casting. Stephen Graham (Combo) also gives a very good performance especially in the scene ending with him assaulting Milky. You can literally see in his eyes where things start going wrong which adds to the sinking feeling in this viewers stomach.

All in all, this is a movie well worth watching. It’s funny in some places and very dark in others, and it is not simple and certainly not unambiguous, but then again – it really shouldn’t be. If it were, the director would have failed miserably.

Mule

This Is England (2006)

Yönetmen: Shane Meadows

Senaryo: Shane Meadows

Oyuncular: Thomas Turgoose (Shaun), Stephen Graham (Combo), Andrew Shim (Milky), Vicky McClure (Lol), Joseph Gilgun (Woody), Rosamund Hanson (Smell), Andrew Ellis (Gadget)

Puan:

1980′lerde İngiltere ilginç bir sosyal dönüşüm içindeydi. Margaret Thatcher dönemin başbakanıydı ve Muhafazakar Parti lideriydi. Film tamda bu zamanlarda, 1982 senesinde gerçekleşmekte olan Falklands Savaşı döneminde geçmekte. Thatcher bu savaştan sonra seçimlerden tekrar galip olarak ayrılmıştır fakat bu savaş bazı savaş karşıtı gençler tarafından hoş karşılanmamış ve onların aşırı uçlara serpilmelerine neden olmuştur. Thatcher’ın tekrar tekrar seçilmesindeki en büyük etken İngiltere’nin yaşamakta olduğu ekonomik daralmayı düzelterek ülkeyi düzlüğe çıkarmasıdır. Punk müziğin doğuşuda bu dönemden bir kaç yıl öncesine dayanır zaten. Ekonomik zorluklar her zaman müzikte yeni açılımlara gebedir çünkü havada boşalmayı bekleyen bir elektrik vardır.

Filmde çok fazla karakter olmasına rağmen en önemli karakterler Shaun ve arkadaşlarıyla yaşamakta oldukları punk yaşam tarzı. Shaun babasını Falklands Savaşı’nda kaybetmiş, annesiyle birlikte yaşayan, dünyaya karşı dindirilmesi çok zor bir kini olan ufacık bir çocuktur. Okulda üst sınıflar giyim tarzından dolayı onunla dalga geçmektedirler. Ama Shaun çetin cevizdir. Özellikle babası hakkında konuşulmasına dayanamaz ve 2-3 küfür savurduktan sonra patlatıverir yumruğu.

Yine böyle bir günde, okulda müdürden dayak yemiş eve dönerken Woody ve arkadaşlarıyla tanışır. Onlar sokakları mesken tutmuş punk gençlerdir ve Woody Shaun’u çok sever, ona bir abi gibi davranır ama herşey bir gün Combo’nun hapisten çıkmasıyla sona erer. Combo aşırı uçta ırkçı fikirlere sahiptir, tam bir dazlaktır. Shaun’un babasının savaşta ölmesini kullanarak onu yanına çeker. “National Front” partisine katılırlar ve ırkçılık duygusunu Shaun’a aşılar. Shaun Pakistanlı göçmenlerle dalga geçer, Combo’ya güvenerek onları aşağılar ama bu yaptıklarını niye yaptığını kendisi de bilmez. Belki güç duygusunu tatmanın verdiği hissiyatı seviyordur, belki de babasının yerine Combo’yu koymuştur ve babasını gururlandırmak için o ne isterse onları yapıyordur.

Filmde bu babasızlık duygusallığı sürekli verilmeye çalışılmakta. Hatta belli bir vakit sonra neredeyse Shaun hiç eve gitmemekte, sürekli Combo’nun yanında kalmaktadır. Anne karakteri filmin başındaki baskın yapısını filmin sonlarına doğru yitirir ve çocuğunun dipsiz kuyuya dalıp boğuluşuna müdahele edemez. Shaun’un bu yalnızlığı öyle had safhadadır ki annesinden çok evde dinlediği radyo ona arkadaşlık etmektedir. Irkçı düşüncelerin yayılması bu yalnızlık ortamında çok daha kolaydır. Sinirli olan insanlar saldıracak bir şeyler ararlar ve gözlerine kestirdikleri en zayıfa saldırırlar. Bu politika şu an da yaşadığımız ekonomik kriz ve ırkçılığın yükselişini de açıklar.

Shaun filmde aşıkta olmaktadır ama bu aşkı onu takılı kaldığı kelepçelerden kurtaramaz.  “Smell” takma isimli Michelle’e vurgundur Shaun. Onun için türlü sürprizler ve laf ebelikleri yapar. Smell tam çocukların seveceği tipte bir boyalı bebektir. Shaun ile olan öpüşme sahneleri ise filmlerde eşine az rastlayacağınız türden ilginç sahneler. Şaşırmaya hazırlıklı olun.

İngiliz sinema tarzı artık kesin kalıplarını belirliyor galiba. Son zamanlarda çıkan İngiliz filmleri (korku filmleri de dahil) hep yalın ve şoke edici. Bu filmde onlardan farklı değil. Söylemek istediğini çok güzel söyleyen, sürekli tansiyonu arttıran ve sonunda durulan, insanı içine girdap gibi çeken bir film. Punk yaşam tarzına özellikle ilgi duyanların ise kesinlikle tam puan verecekleri milliyetçilik ve faşizm karşıtı bir film. Bu filmde herkes bir şeyler bulacaktır eminim ama lütfen dikkat filmde çok fazla küfür var. Bu tür şeylerden hoşlanmıyorsanız tavsiye edemeyeceğim.