Somers Town, shot in glimmering black and white, reveals a working class England that brims with possibility.
Comment
07/14/09
Somers Town (2009)
96
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:46
Fresh:44
Rotten:2
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Shane Meadows hits the spot with this short but sweet slice of good natured comedy, surprisingly, as it’s essentially an extended black & white advert for a train station.
Theatrical Release:Jul 15, 2009 Limited
Synopsis: Two teenagers, both newcomers to London, forge an unlikely friendship over the course of a hot summer. Tomo (Thomas Turgoose) is a runaway from Nottingham; Marek (Piotr Jagiello), a Polish... [More]
Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Ireneusz Czop, Perry Benson
Director: Shane Meadows
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Reviews for Somers Town
Shane Meadows has been busily carving out his own corner in British cinema.
07/14/09
Shane Meadows has a rare ability to convey the drama and humor of everyday life in well-observed, well-acted scenes that rarely drag on interminably or try too hard to dazzle.
07/14/09
uses every second of his 70-minute runtime rather than adding on perfunctory storylines or resorting to expositional sequences
07/14/09
Thomas Turgoose reunites with writer-director Shane Meadows in this shaggy, endlessly charming dramedy set in working-class London, wistfully shot in black-and-white... Witty and warmhearted, it's a feel-good movie that never seems forced.
05/12/09
Somers Town is Meadows' first venture outside his East Midlands stamping-ground. It has its lyrical moments, but I watched most of it through splayed fingers.
08/22/08
If Somers Town were any more unassuming, it would risk disappearing completely. Seventy-two minutes long, in black and white, with a cast as starless as a cloudy night, it is a British triumph.
08/22/08
There is some wonderful dialogue until you realise that, unlike Eurostar, the slim plot has no destination.
08/22/08
Sweet, poignant and with an undercurrent of wickedly funny humour, it’s not just a total joy but one of those rare films that can be savoured again and again.
08/22/08
The latest offering from Shane Meadows has, like most of his others, received enormous critical acclaim; and once again, I don't know what he has done to deserve it.
08/22/08
After the major triumph of This Is England, Shane scales things back with an unassuming rites-of-passage drama featuring another top turn from Turgoose. Even in miniature, Meadows makes magic.
08/22/08
Meadows is adamant that there was no corporate influence. But even without the benefit of the doubt, it can’t be denied that his extended short carries some sweet observations.
08/22/08
As a result, he has not only been able to stick two fingers up to the anti-Pole hate-mongers of the popular press, and to create an enchanting portrait of growing up in a British city; he has made his best film to date.
08/22/08
It's a slight, gentle, sweet-natured comedy shot in black and white, and blessed with a lovely performance from Meadows' great find, Thomas Turgoose.
08/22/08
For all the sly humour, though, Somers Town is a hollow pleasure. It aspires to the new wave of London immigration thrillers by Stephen Frears and Anthony Minghella. But it’s not cruel enough.
08/22/08
Another beautifully crafted film, as well as a great London film, from the finest British director working today.
08/22/08
There are some laughs – but the jokes don’t come thick and fast. The film’s portrayal of friendship is always warm and sensitive.
08/22/08
Meadows in a minor key but still a major delight; his improvised feel, sparky comedy and interest in the truth of youth services a story that's both winning and winsome.
08/22/08
By Mike Martin - When the DVD box set of Shane Meadows is released this will slot in, but won't be the strongest film in the selection by a long way.
08/21/08
Enjoyable, sharply directed drama with a superb script and strong performances from Turgoose and Jagiello.
08/21/08
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