A Way of Life.A Way of Life directed by Amma Asante The opening scene hits hard--a teenage gang beating up a defenceless adj. 1. same as defenseless; as, a defenceless child s>. Adj. 1. defenceless - lacking protection or support; "a defenseless child" defenseless vulnerable - susceptible to attack; "a vulnerable bridge" man. Don't be put off, this is not a violent film. Rather, it's a film about violence, a serious and subtle study of why the attack happens. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It follows the lives of four South Wales South Wales south n → sud m du Pays de Galles teenagers trying to make their way after leaving children's homes. Leigh-Anne (Stephanie James) is a teenage mother with no job or prospects. She hangs around with Robbie, Gavin and Stephen, who stash stash Drug slang noun A place where illicit drugs are hidden stolen goods at her house and pass on some of the paltry pal·try adj. pal·tri·er, pal·tri·est 1. Lacking in importance or worth. See Synonyms at trivial. 2. Wretched or contemptible. proceeds. Debut writer-director Asante shows great maturity and ambition. She reveals her characters' despair and self-hatred, which find expression in racism and ultimately in violence. Yet, because she leads us to understand them, she retains the audience's sympathy. It's finely balanced and there are moments of hope, crucial points where the characters could have followed other paths, but don't--through chance, misunderstanding or prejudice against them. It's not perfect. Occasionally the opposition between their world and the official world--the housing department, social services social services Noun, pl welfare services provided by local authorities or a state agency for people with particular social needs social services npl → servicios mpl sociales , a prospective employer--is too clear cut. But in the realist tradition of Ken Loach, Alan Clarke and Karl Frances, it's gripping and superbly acted. Stephanie James is astonishing a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. and old hands Brenda Blethyn and Oliver Haydn are just right in supporting roles. Many directors would have ended the film five minutes earlier, but the final scene, when Leigh-Anne realizes the consequences of her actions, is a gem--revealing, resolving and moving. This is a very impressive first film. Rating VERY GOOD ML |
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