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.
Comment
08/22/08
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: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... [More]
Starring: Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Ireneusz Czop, Perry Benson
Director: Shane Meadows
Reviews for Somers Town
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
Top CriticIt'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
Top CriticFor 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
Top CriticAnother beautifully crafted film, as well as a great London film, from the finest British director working today.
08/22/08
Top CriticThere 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
Top CriticMeadows 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
Top CriticBy 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
An authentic sense of humour and a brightly rendered sense of hopefulness lend this film the qualities of a timeless cinematic classic.
07/11/08
...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.
10/09/09
Nothing much happens, but its workaday plot lines are universally relatable -- the key to keeping this slight film engaging.
09/25/09
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.
09/17/09
Somers Town is gentle, funny, blue-collar humanism, much like the early films of Ken Loach.
09/03/09
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