Findus Fop wrote:
I thought that review in the Guardian was a tremendously well written piece.
For all the bleakness I thought there were a few laughs to be had too. And the phrase "youth club tits" will stay with me.
Yes there was a lot of light and laughter in there, Anna's family in particular I thought worked really well in that regard. Apparently there was a lot of improv in there too.
It even managed to get a laugh out of me in the final, crushing twenty minutes.
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
When Anna stops by the building site desperately trying to find Michael, and all the guys are just sat around drinking tea as usual, totally unfazed by her obvious frantic state.
Overall it's as powerful an examination of childhood pain and trauma, and how it can leave wounds that endure terribly into adulthood - as I've ever seen committed to film.
Wouldn't have worked at all without such an incredible cast, and the assured writing and direction of Meadows. And an extra shout out is well deserved for PJ Harvey's score.
Oh yes and to rather lower the tone somewhat, I totally fancied Niamh Algar.