Somers Town (Friday, July 17, 2009) (93)

Somers Town is a nice story about a young boy who has run away from his home in the Midlands and ends up in London where he meets an immigrant Polish boy who lives with his father in a small flat. The two strike up a sweet friendship that focuses largely on their mutual crush on a French woman who works at a cafe nearby. The story is very sweet and simple and doesn't get in the way of the wonderful acting and beautiful atmostphere and technique.

Director Shane Meadows has a very interesting style. He mostly shoots with a hand-held camera in static shots, so you get the idea that you're standing there watching the action very intimately. This movie is in black and white, which I sometimes feel is annoying and manipulative, but here adds to the wonderful texture of industrial London. For me, this is a wonderful movie about style and texture, even more so than the story (which is, honestly, rather forgettable).

Actor Thomas Turgoose, who debuted in Meadows' very good last film, 'This is England', is again very good. He totally honest and without any real 'style' - which is to say his performance is entirely believable. I am interested that his character here, Tomo, could be a continuation of his character in the earlier film, Shaun. Both times the kid is very nice and friendly and believes deeply in the goodness and honesty of others. He has a wild streak in him, but he's generally under control - even when he's being aggressive. His tongue seems firmly planted in his cheek and yet his serious actions are self-confident and self-aware.

Meadows feels like a new Mike Leigh. Showing real English situations and places and people without judging them negatively and giving the smallest character lots of respect. Leigh generally deals with the quirky happy side of things (maybe his Naked is an exception, though that's a bit cheeky at times too), while Meadows deals with average lower-level elements that are a bit sad and less goofy.

This is a nice and good movie, but very simple. Meadows' direction is probably the best part of it - but Turgoose's acting is delightful too.

Stars: 3 of 4