Review of Somers Town (2008) by Daniel S — 10 Sep 2008

Well-observed drama about two boys, each with their own set of problems, who form an unlikely friendship in and around Euston, London. The film is shot in black and white, something which I think adds depth to a movie, regardless of genre, more often than not.

Shane Meadows is certainly an important British director and he shows here that he is able to capture mood and setting with great skill. The film really has no right to be as good as it is given its length and content, but it is good, and much credit must also go to the two young actors, one English, the other Polish, who both appear about natural as one could imagine.

An upwardly mobile youngster from Nottingham runs away to London, for reasons not fully explored, in search of a new life. He finds things difficult but his tenacity leads to a friendship with a young Polish boy who lives with his construction-worker father.

Charming and honest, a must-see movie.