I've just finished watching "Somers Town" the latest film by Shane Meadows about two boys of awkward backgrounds meeting each other in the London suburb.
Thomas Turgoose returns as Tomo, a 16 year old boy who has travelled to London from Nottingham after spending his life in a care home there. He meets up with Marek, a Polish boy living with his dad in Somers Town who feels left out of his Dad's drunken antics.
Together they form a sometimes turbulent but engaging friendship and Tomo takes refuge in Marek's bedroom unknown to his dad.
Perry Benson makes a return appearance as well, although I can't really remember him in "This Is England" having only seen the film at least twice. He plays Graham, a man who lives below Marek and enlists the boys to carry out errands for him to earn money.
All the cast give out superb performances especially Thomas, and Piotr Jagiello who plays Marek and according to the official Shane Meadows website, both actors share the same date of birth.
There's also a really good soundtrack, the majority of it provided by Shane's friend and long term contributor Gavin Clark who's voice really stands out.
As for the film overall, it's not as good as "Dead Man's Shoes" or "This Is England" but I suppose that was the intention, and it's good to see Shane produce a film outside of the Midlands with a very warming story.
I'm rather gutted though because Shane was at HMV in Oxford Street signing DVDs on Monday which I would loved to have been present at. I guess it's my fault for not looking at the website beforehand.
I've yet to watch the extras which include interviews with Shane, Thomas and Piotr, and Perry Benson, as well as masterclass from Shane done at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Come to think of it I still haven't watched the extras on the DVD of "This Is England".
Still the best British film director, possibly the best current film maker full stop.
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