MovieChat Forums > Somers Town (2009) Discussion > Not up to scratch... **spoilers**

Not up to scratch... **spoilers**


I've just got back from seeing this at the cinema - I'm a huge Meadows fan and I've absolutely loved everything he's done up until now.
In my opinion this film was definately not up to scratch. Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the film, I just don't think it was anywhere near Meadows usual standard. It's by far the weakest piece of work of his I've ever seen, and I've seen it all. I really am very disappointed. Here are a few of my arguments...

(You REALLY only wanna read on if you've seen the film)

- The story/relationship between Marek and his dad was un-interesting

- There are far, far, far too many static camera shots, especially in the wheelchair scene.

- Marek's acting was absolutely awful in places

- The film was missing the power that previous Meadows films have

- Tomo's acting is a little bit rubbish too

Believe me, I understand that it's a sweet story - I just get the idea that Meadows thinks the relationships are sweeter than they actually are. For example, I find it hard to believe that just because Maria gets pushed home for sixty million static camera shots in a wheelchair while acoustic music plays, it was the best day she'd ever had in that country.

Again, let me stress that I didn't dislike the film, I thought it was interesting. And I'm not saying that Meadows should stick to his normal formula, I'm all up for mixing things up. But I really don't think this deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with Romeo Brass or This Is England in anyones DVD collection.

I'm itching to hear other opinions on the film! Anyone? Oh, also, what's 'Mother Vision'? It was credited at the end for 'original story by' or something like that - But I thought Fraser did it? Cheers!

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I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree with you. Whilst it may not have reached the same level as the awesome Dead Man's Shoes, I still class it up there with the rest of his work.

-I thought the acting was spot on and it captured a sense of realism, with regard to youth and mixed culture.

-I also believe that Meadows wanted the film to be a bit different in terms of storyline (i.e. between father and son) and focus more upon character study, than with his previous films.

-I also thought the static shots were framed perfectly to contrast the gritty London backdrop against the happiness of the poor characters.

Not making a dig or anything and I believe you're pints are valid. Just glad you support Meadows and have seen the film.

Killer Killer: http://youtube.com/watch?v=arYUpUwSsXY

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I agree that Meadows assumes too much that we care for his characters as much as he does, but I enjoyed the performances from all involved. I didn't really enjoy it.

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My Latest Move Reviews: http://www.invocus.net

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Ha!

I know you!

I liked it anyhoo. I think it's a case of Meadows wanting to do something quick and small to take the pressure off after This is England.
After all the last time he was verging on the big-time he made Once upon a time in the Midlands and nearly ruined his career.
It's a simple film with simple themes, shot quickly and succinctly that's going to allow him to pass under the radar so he can pursue his next film without the spectre of This is England looming over him.

I didn't particularly think the acting was bad or have any problem with the films construction, but it was essentially a short film spun out to 80 minutes you're right.

Keep the faith though, Meadows knows what he's doing.

" DON'T TRY "
Henry Charles Bukowski 1920 - 1994

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Have to say I agree with this, I love Meadows' other work but this just seemed flat, uninteresting and poorly acted.

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I agree, There wasn't a really established actor in the film like Paddy Considine who could carry the film

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Ain't Paddy just the most? What was that one he was in where his backward brother was abused by a bunch of stoner bullies & he goes on the ramp...

I've said too much - great flick that one, btw.

Edit:
=====

Dead Man's Shoes, it was...

Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit shooting smack...

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I must say i loved the acting, I havent seen This is England so I can't compare Tommo's acting to his performance in that movie but I thought he was wonderful. Very much reminding me of those 'rough' kids i used to grow up with. He seemed spot on every second.
Marek seemed genuine as well, i think the character feels he doesnt quite fit in that world so his moves and manners are artificial, forced, clumsy, i think it was intentional.

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I just saw it and agree with everything Aykay (orig. poster) said. It's just lazy filmmaking - simple and sweet story, but lazy.

My main problems were:

* TWO musical montages ("best" day in London, and trip to Paris) - why not SHOW us how it was her best day in London, instead of just TELLING us. There was plenty of room to develop her character here, but Meadows was only really interested in the boys;

* Lots of clearly improvised scenes which made for lengthy and tedious dialogue;

* I totally agree that Marek was wooden - sorry kid, but you looked like you were 'acting' the whole way through it;

* I'm getting a little tired of Meadows twee depictions of childhood - this one hasn't moved on any since the near perfect Romeo Brass, and Tommo gave the standard "I'm improving in a Shane Meadows film" performance - bit cute and relies on Northerness. Clearly he loves this kid, but not as much as the rest of us;

* Duration - If it's not lazy then why not make it a proper length? With two musical montages, don't tell me there wasn't time for it.

It does raise some interesting questions though. If Shane Meadows wasn't the darling of British indie film right now then people would be less forthcoming with praise. The truth is this film looks like anyone could have done it, which is no bad thing and hopefully more people will be inspired to do so. And yet, because there clearly wasn't a massive investment of time and effort here you can't help feeling that it shouldn't be in the cinema.

For the record, I'm a massive Shane Meadows fan, but I think he's taking the mickey a bit here. There are people out there trying so hard to get their film seen, but the insular UK film community always sticks with it's select few. If Meadows name wasn't on this film not a single one of us would have ever seen this film - it just doesn't have enough in the tank.

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The film felt like a student film to me and shouldn't have been released in the cinema.

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Let me start by saying I loved Meadow's other work and was so looking forward to this. The film could and should have been so much better. The ending...how poor was that? Perhaps he got ill and left it to someone else. Reminds me of what I used to do as a child to quickly finish an essay and hand it in for homework.

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i have to agree,i was quite disapointed with this, i was expecting a lot more from this film,the ending was horrible..funny how tomo still managed to get to Paris despite having all his possesions stolen,must have been hiding his passport in his shoes.

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much of the film, the B&W part was filmed during the construction of St. Pancras, new Eurostar terminal, the end sequence when they go to Paris is when the station is up and running, this time scale could have been anything between 1-4 years - plenty of time for Tomo to sort his life out and get a passport!!

It was a great little film, went into it knowing to expect Dead Mans Shoes, or This is England, it was low budget, simple story telling, good character relationships, explained and detailed well considering the film is just over an hour long.

This isn't meant to be a big film, i admire Meadows and team for making it

Can't wait for King of Gypsies though, that will be amazing!!

The music on the tapes, that heart & soul that we put onto them, that is ours, & you don't own that

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"funny how tomo still managed to get to Paris despite having all his possesions stolen,must have been hiding his passport in his shoes."

Re this point, my take on it was that the montage at the end was actually just a fantasy. Marek, left standing at the railings dreams of what Tommo has just said to him and imagines his life "in colour" rather than the dreary existence he feels he has. And therefore I don't think we are meant to think they ever really go to Paris, or ever see Maria again for that matter.

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I agree with you 100%.

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Yeah on reflection so do i, great explanation

The music on the tapes, that heart & soul that we put onto them, that is ours, & you don't own that

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yeah i totally agree that its a dream sequence me and my mam thought that when we saw it at the cinema.

i can see why people think it isnt up to meadows usually standard, but its because the story was a little bit different than he usually deals with.

and for saying that most of the dialogue is unscripted and most of the actors in his films are non-actors i say that the kid who played marik and other actors he uses do a really good job.

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I too am a big Meadows fan, though I restrict this praise to Romeo Brass and the supreme Dead Mans Shoes.

This film felt terribly lazy and poorly put together. I'm not one for relying on a strong, big name lead, but what I do expect is some decent acting a bit of a plot to move things along.

The opening fifteen minutes with the dinner scene and the mugging seemed to set things up nicely, but it just went nowhere from there. Turgoose was annoying, the father was a lame stereotype, and the Polish kid was incredibly wooden - I get that he was supposed to be the shy type etc but c'mon... contrast this with the blond kid from Romeo Brass and you'll see my point.

The French girl was a completely unrealistic character. She would neither kiss the boys on the mouth nor proclaim it to be her "best day in London" given the evidence presented prior to that scene.

A huge disappointment. Continuing the downward trajectory set by This is England. Shane, you can do better than this.

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(I'm the original poster)
Very well put in my opinion, Knifey Spoony! (Love the name by the way, that Simpson's joke made me laugh hard!)

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I'm not sure the running time really matters... it certainly, in my view, doesn't make Meadows lazy. Sure is was only a little over one hour but I've not seen a rule book that states that all films have to run for a specified length of time. I can't agree that it was rushed.
I adore the fact that Meadows, just like early Loach, uses unknowns in his films. Sure the acting is not always spot-on but the director always manages to capture many superb moments that are just so absolutely real.
For me the film was a brief insight into the lives of the two boys (we didn't really need to know a great deal about the characters of the others) and I didn't need it wrapping up in the conventional way. I didn't need to be told how their story panned out. It depends on my mood when watching it, but I imagine many different short and long-term conclusions. We got to see only the very beginning of the relationship... to be continued (in your head). Great filmmaking!

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As much as I hate to say it I think the OP hit the nail on the head. I have loved most of Shane Meadows films up to this one (exception being once u a t i t m).

I remember seeing him on film shows raving about how good Thomas Tur was after making This is England and I think he thought he could carry this film. Sadly I think it is a couple of years too early for him to be the main star in a cast of about 8 characters.


Still looking forward to his next one though

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re: Maria claiming it was the best day of her life. Well, surely she waws just being kind to the boys? She appreciated that they had done something nice for her and y'know wanted them to think it was worthwhile.

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