SOMERS TOWN, 2008
Movie Review

Tomo (Thomas Turgoose) a homeless boy from the Midlands and Marek (Piotr Jagiello) a Polish immigrant come from completely different worlds. When they forge an unlikely friendship, they discover that despite their differences, they are very much alike.

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REVIEW:

Somers Town is another installment in the impressive list of director Shane Meadows' (This is England, Dead Man’s Shoes) creations. The location (London) is set with an opening montage, a technique which is now customary of Meadows films. Characteristic of films focused around the friendship of two unlikely comrades, the early stages of Somers Town switches between the contrasting situations of Tomo and Marek. Tomo has arrived in London with nowhere to stay and a few modest possessions. Tomo has been released from social care in Nottingham, leaving behind no friends or family, he is completely alone in this dangerous city. Marek lives with his father but in many respects suffers the same isolation that Tomo does. Marek’s father is a hard working builder, whose life revolves around drinking with his friends and showing off his strength. This intense masculine environment is clearly something that Marek, a quiet, thoughtful and sensitive boy struggles to relate to. Marek is more interested in photography, and life’s simple beauties.

When first viewing the film I felt the ending (which like the beginning is summerised with Meadows' usual montage technique) was rather abrupt, the film is only 68 minutes long. I pondered whether or not there could have potentially been another half an hour in the screenplay. In the end I came to the conclusion that the inevitable did not require dragging out, and although the montage was slightly predictable in the sense it was shot in colour (contrasted to the rest of the film which is in black and white) it was an appropriate resolution. The film contains all the feel good factors of a cheesey rom-com, yet the witty (and sometimes very crude) humour, heartwarming characters and subtle representation of life’s harsh realities makes Somers Town a clever piece of social realism.

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SOMERS TOWN