I watched this touching, drama filled movie over the weekend which was suggested by a friend. This Is England is set in the 1980′s around a 12 year old boy named Shaun, who after being picked on at school stumbles past a group of skinheads on the way home one day. Showing him sympathy, the group leader eventually takes Shaun under his wing.
Later on, “Combo” an older member of the group returns. He eventually enforces his leadership and white nationalist views upon the group, causing it to split in two. Shaun being the young kid he is, gets influenced by Combo’s talks and decides that staying in the group is the better choice.
Towards the end of the film, Combo smokes weed with the group which causes him to snap at another non-member Milky (the only member with darker skin) and beats him to unconsciousness. In a panic, he gets Shaun to help him take Milky to Hospital. After this, Shaun realises that this group isn’t the place for him and chooses to cut his ties.
Overall, this is a very good and powerful movie to watch, similar to American History X →.
4 Comments
I loved this movie, which was similar in style but much deeper and emotionally attaching than Romper Stomper. I loved finding out about the origin of the skinhead movement, and how they originally started out as rebellious fans of ska.
Best line in the film, or rather piece of graffiti: Maggie is a twat.
btw it’s funny how you’ve linked to the autosalon guy’s photo blog. charles. i used to know him/hang out a bit with that group. small world eh.
lol @ “Maggie is a twat”. I wonder if there is a double meaning in that as it’s showed a few times!
Indeed bro, it’s a very small world!
ahem, when are you going to produce a new blog. You do have a loyal following y’know!