Review of Riff-Raff (1991) by Stuart K — 19 Jun 2012
During the 1980's, Ken Loach found himself nearly being blacklisted from TV and film, getting what work he could, a few political documentaries he did were banned by ITV. However, when he did Hidden Agenda (1990), he was suddenly back in vogue, and Channel 4 let him make this realistic yet gently witty film about what employment was like at the tail-end of Thatcher's era.
It's well made and has some memorable moments. Stevie (Robert Carlyle) has come from Glasgow to London in search of better employment and a better way of life, he finds himself on a building site, converting a derelict old hospital into a block of luxury flats for rich clients.
Stevie quickly becomes friends with Shem (Jimmy Coleman), Kevin (David Finch), Kojo (Richard Belgrave), Fiaman (Ade Sapara) and Larry (Ricky Tomlinson), the latter seems to blame Thatcher for the UK going wrong.
Stevie becomes friends with unemployed pop singer Susan (Emer McCourt), who moves into the abandoned flat that Stevie commandeered with the help of Larry. Stevie and Susan struggle to get by living on the breadline with little money and no help or support from Stevie's employers.
It's a sad picture of what had happened to the UK at the end of Thatcher's era, this came out 7 months after she was ousted, but even then, people were still feeling the depression of 6 and a bit more years of Tories ruling the country.
But, Carlyle is very good, and you get the added bonus of seeing Ricky Tomlinson naked. Charming. :P.
This review of Riff-Raff (1991) was written by Stuart K on 19 Jun 2012.
Riff-Raff has generally received positive reviews.
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