Review of Neds (2007) by First L — 28 Jan 2011

I watched this on Burns Night.

I found to my astonishment that the opening scene was set in the year of my birth, 1972, when I was born in Glasgow - so it was a great start for this film!

It opens with a prize student "graduating" from primary school as top of the class. As he leaves the prize-giving ceremony, an older kid threatens him - paraphrasing - "I'll kill you as soon as you step through the Big School doors".

This threat has lasting repercussions for the next several years as our protagonist turns his back on a promising future in favour of gang violence and anti-social behaviour - something which his elder brother is much respected for in the neighbourhood.

When this film finished, I thought .. "hmm - not bad".

But days later, there are scenes that just stick in your mind. Not many films do that.

You also get an insight into what Scotland's education system was at that time - indeed, this film is at times like an extended version of some of the meatier episodes of Grange Hill!

One of the most moving scenes is - for me - when a well-meaning, and intelligent teacher, perhaps the only one in the school, is forced psychologically by the errant hero into using the belt for the first time in his career. You can tell this character isn't used to doing it. He gives one stroke and sends John back to his seat. John just stands there and goes "is that it? If you're going to do it, at least do it properly.".

... 5 more of the best ensue, and John just smiles throughout. If ever there was a nail in the coffin of school corporal punishment, this scene was it. John, at his most delinquent, beats the teacher - and then rubs it in by whispering the answer to his question on Latin, which he initially refused to answer to hide his smartness in front of the class.

There are many more such small surprises - the hilarious "late for school" scene, for example. Where a teacher waits at the door for a late student and offers to give them a piggy-back ride to class. They dutifully climb onboard, only to be bashed into the closed doors repeatedly while the teacher sarcastically wails "Oh my! [SMASH!] My poor old bones aren't what they were! Oops! [CRUNCH!] That must be the knee going again!".

But it's utterly believable. That IS what school was like for the working classes in the 1970s in Scotland.

I've said enough - it's well worth seeing. And the untrained lead gives a great performance.