Review of Starred Up (2014) by Alex A — 23 Mar 2014
Johnathon Asser can be proud for the fact that Starred Up is his first screenplay. It has the hallmarks of being a gritty, dingy, violent, prison-based Brit-flick, but everything has such a realistic vibe and tone - helped immensely by the fact that this movie was written on Asser's personal experiences as a volunteer therapist at HM Prison Wandsworth.
In the hands of a lesser writer and director, this film could've easily have been an overdramatized, glorification of violence and prison brutality and corruption, but its held together by the fact that unlike those kind of movies, Starred Up actually has a narrative, and doesn't spend all of its running time in either demonising some inmates, whilst glorifying others. It has a much more personal feeling, not only with Rupert Friend's inclusion as the therapist who's there to help Eric (Jack O'Connell - whose outstanding performance really steals the show) with his anger issues, but also due to the fact that he's in the same prison as his father Neville (Ben Mendelsohn).
An easy contender for one of this year's stand out movies. Highly recommended.
This review of Starred Up (2014) was written by Alex A on 23 Mar 2014.
Starred Up has generally received very positive reviews.
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