Somers Town (2009)

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.

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.

There is some wonderful dialogue until you realise that, unlike Eurostar, the slim plot has no destination.

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.

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.

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.

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.