Review of Ill Manors (2012) by Jerome W — 07 Oct 2012
Aaron bed-sits alone. Dressed in "street uniform" baseball cap, trainers and black outfit with a "Hoodie" top, he smokes a rollie. Un-blinking,he watches social commentary on TV. A range of "street people" express their views on "The social problem".
As a 'youth worker' states emphatically "It is a definite bonus to have a strong family background ...", Aaron looks devastated and gulps. We are left in no doubt, he is from a broken home, he's been in care and though he is alert and aspirational, he's in a dark place right now.
The voice of the Writer-Director (Ben Drew), narrates; warning us to put our seat-belts on. His words become a Rap Poem, blending smoothly into his performance of "I Am the Narrator". A drum, snare, and bass track with a hook line that samples "Aquarium" from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns; placing your nerves firmly on edge with it's intensity and eerieness.
Getting straight down to business, this opener plays to scenes of full-on drug dealing and drug using activities, with panoramic roof-top views of the urban underworld, where prostitutes ply their trade.
Aaron is dealing outside a pub with his friend Ed, who serves a punter some drugs. As soon as his client's out of earshot, Ed starts to insult him in a way that immediately confirms his 'scumbag' credentials. What is Aaron doing with this idiot?
In hopeless cycles of losses and gains, the characters connect and collectively manifest the poisonous web that is their neighborhood.
With it's killer soundtrack, razor-blade-sharp eye for plot-detail, visual gags, and a direct-dial connection to "2012 Street life"; watching Ill Manors is sometimes painful but never dull.
On this roller coaster ride of losses and gains, no one is clean, but redemption can sometimes be bought for a price, paid in deeds or paid in blood.
What this movie lacks in perspective depth, it more than makes up for with a style and pace, that leave many movie releases of 2012 standing.
Contemporary Street vibes and idioms are vividly captured, and projected with an authentic immediate bleakness.
While possibly falling 'only-just' short of being a "classic"; Ben Drew's directorial film debut is an amazingly confident foray into the 'social-realism movie' arena.
His talents as an established singer songwriter serve him well, and add a refreshing twist to this well-trodden genre.
This review of Ill Manors (2012) was written by Jerome W on 07 Oct 2012.
Ill Manors has generally received positive reviews.
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