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Noel Clarke, who both wrote and directed the film, stars in Adulthood |
Camden Movie Review | Adulthood | Kidulthood | Noel Clarke | West London
ADULTHOOD
Directed by Noel Clarke
Certificate 18
IT IS the stuff of politicians’ nightmares, and has the potential to make your walk home from the cinema an unsettling experience.
Adulthood, the product of director, writer and actor Noel Clarke, is the story of a lost generation growing up on the streets of west London. The sequel to the 2006 hit Kidulthood, this tells you what happened next.
Sam Peel (Clarke) has spent six-and-half years in prison for murder.
Although he has done the time, the people in the world he is returning to don’t see it that way and revenge is the order of the day.
Drug dealer and all-round rude boy Jay, still grieving for the friend Sam battered to death, wants to see Sam dead.
And Sam knows it.
As with Kidulthood, the action takes place over the course of 24 hours – a day in which Sam has to face up to the baseball bat murder he was responsible for and attempt, in the eyes of the gang culture to which he is returning, to make amends for his behaviour.
Director, writer and leading man Noel Clarke is a rising star. This film showcases an immense talent.
He has guts, carefully picking his way through such a demanding topic which could have the same social connotations as Cathy Come Home, Ken Loach’s 1960s study of homelessness.
And although the recurring themes of drugs, sex and violence are hideous, it’s not all gloom and grime. Moments of humorous relief glint through the ever-shadowy world of hoodies.
But essentially Adulthood is an honest portrayal of the world some young people in London sadly have to face.
This is an unflattering portrayal of life in the west of the city, with superb performances and a soundtrack that boasts music by the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Lethal Bizzle and the Audio Bullies.
It is watchable but not likeable: Adulthood is a requiem for a lost generation. |
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Your comments:
I think it's a great film.
As a girl being brought up in the 'ghetto' Hackney it touches a lot of subjects that many people are afraid to touch. Yeh some of the film is unsettling... but that's life on the streets sometimes... it isn’t all like Eastenders you know!!
Both Adulthood and Kidulthood have touched me in many ways.
As someone has witnessed a lot of things that a 22 yr old woman should not have seen in the streets on London, this film has touched me and reminds me of the troubled streets that I left for a better life. Unfortunately it is a realistic portrayal of things that do happen but I feel Noel Clarke is touching a lot of things that other young actors/directors are afraid to touch and I applaud him for it, It’s a touching film.
It's great to see such a refreshing approach to all this madness!!
Cassandra |
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