MovieChat Forums > This Is England (2007) Discussion > Good but not great

Good but not great

posted 11 years ago by Pogo_76
5 replies | jump to latest

Nowadays it seems that all you have to do is choose a political correct topic like 'racism is bad' or 'the holocaust is bad' and you get a standing ovation.
Recently I watched 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' which was about the holocaust and also kind of average but it still gets a high rating(and probably some awards).
I've seen brilliant movies about these topics like The Pianist or American History X but this movie was too average for me. It had great and likable characters but it sort of just touched the surface and then it was over.

I just realized that this was also a tv series. I can imagine that the whole story telling is much better for a tv series where you get to know the characters more. I would be curious to know how the series is.

[–] steve_jackson92 11 years ago

I have to disagree, and I highly recommend you watch This is England '86 and '88. They explore the background characters like Lol and Woody a lot more and you'll no doubt become far more invested in the characters.

Saying that though, I think this film is brilliant on its own. It may seem like it only scraped the surface of the skinhead culture, but the film centres around a group of lads and lasses somewhere in the Midlands in the middle of the 80s, it can't really go much deeper than it did!

The acting is phenomenal as well, especially from Stephen Graham (Combo) and Thomas Turgoose (Shaun). If you watch the series, you'll also see how amazing Joe Gilgun (Woody) and Vicky McClure (Lol). Give it a go, I'm sure you'll enjoy!

[–] lewist_82 11 years ago

If you can say that this is England is not a masterpiece you must of been watching something else!!! Not only is the acting great from all of the cast the soundtrack is amazing too!! This film is faultless and if it was directed by a director with the credibilitys like James Cameron/Martin Scorsese this film would of won more awards than it did!!! Shane meadows is a great director who also directed dead man's shoes which is another brilliant movie

[–] pegleg00 11 years ago

I understand how it only scratched the surface of the racist skinhead culture. But in doing so, the movie shows how easily troubled young people can be brainwashed and how drastic the consequences can be.

The acting was great all around. The cast made it feel very natural - at times it felt like I was watching a documentary. Thomas Turgoose (Shaun) and Stephen Graham (Combo) were exceptionally good.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] Outstandingness 8 years ago

American History X?? Are you serious? That was so unrealistic and melodramatic it softened the message.