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Movies / On DVD / Somers Town
Somers Town

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Somers Town (2009)

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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.

Rated: 12A

Runtime: 75 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:22-08-2008

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... 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 immigrant, lives in the district of Somers Town, between King's Cross and Euston stations, where his dad is working on a new rail link. When Marke agrees to let homeless Tomo move into his room, unbeknownst to his father, the pair forms a strong bond, as they work odd jobs for an eccentric neighbor and compete for the attention of Maria, a beautiful young French waitress whom they are both infatuated with. But it's only a matter of time before Marek's dad discovers what's going on... --© Film Movement [More]

Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Ireneusz Czop, Perry Benson

Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Ireneusz Czop, Perry Benson, Elisa Lasowski

Director: Shane Meadows

Director: Shane Meadows
Screenwriter: Paul Fraser
Producer: Barnaby Spurrier
Composer: Gavin Clark
Studio: Film Movement

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Reviews for Somers Town

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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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.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
08/22/08
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

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.

comment Comment
08/22/08
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

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

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
08/22/08
Sun Online

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
08/22/08
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
08/22/08
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
08/22/08
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
Total Film

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.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
08/22/08
Elliott Noble
Elliott Noble
Sky Movies

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
08/22/08
Sukhdev Sandhu
Sukhdev Sandhu
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
08/22/08
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
08/22/08
James Christopher
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Another beautifully crafted film, as well as a great London film, from the finest British director working today.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/22/08
Ali Catterall
Ali Catterall
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There are some laughs – but the jokes don’t come thick and fast. The film’s portrayal of friendship is always warm and sensitive.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
08/22/08
Dave Calhoun
Dave Calhoun
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
08/22/08
Ian Freer
Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment Comment
08/21/08
Victor Olliver
Victor Olliver
Teletext

Enjoyable, sharply directed drama with a superb script and strong performances from Turgoose and Jagiello.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/21/08
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

An authentic sense of humour and a brightly rendered sense of hopefulness lend this film the qualities of a timeless cinematic classic.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
07/11/08
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

...Meadows' method of working with improvised scenes shot in long takes gives it a sense of emotional truth which is lacking in many more ambitious films.

Full Review Source: Playback:stl | comment Comment
10/09/09
Sarah Boslaugh
Sarah Boslaugh
Playback:stl

Nothing much happens, but its workaday plot lines are universally relatable -- the key to keeping this slight film engaging.

Full Review Source: Washington City Paper | comment Comment
09/25/09
Tricia Olszewski
Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper

Turgoose continues to convince as a kid whose personality wavers daily if not hourly, while Jagiello playfully suggests that Marek is becoming the perfect straight man.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
09/17/09
John Hartl
John Hartl
Seattle Times

Somers Town is gentle, funny, blue-collar humanism, much like the early films of Ken Loach.

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
09/03/09
Gerald Peary
Gerald Peary
Boston Phoenix
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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