Review of Ratcatcher (1999) by Smriti J — 25 May 2011
A subtle, gritty, and lyrical debut from Lynne Ramsay. The uncertainty and disquiet of childhood resides in our protagonist and the life he has amidst the garbarge strike of Glasgow in the 1970's. Dealing with the guilt over the accidental death of a friend in the canal, he sees the ugliness that resides in everyone else around him as events progress.
We feel bad for him, wish for him something better. The moments he spends at the newer housing complexes are charming, almost otherwordly. At the end, when his family moves in, it is a bittersweet moment, a tiny bit of happiness that has finally descended on him.
William Eadie as James is natural within the role, giving a complex performance that does not feel forced or manicured like other child roles. Ramsay's writing and vision are strong, sometimes forced, but it's all for the purpose of the film; certain images she conjures here, such as the seeming blood dripping from the ice cream is beautiful example of a mix and match with image and poetry and also showing, not telling.
This review of Ratcatcher (1999) was written by Smriti J on 25 May 2011.
Ratcatcher has generally received very positive reviews.
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