Run with the crowd, stand alone, you decide.|Sep. 12, 2006|United Kingdom|101 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Crime;Drama
Description: “This Is England,” released in 2006, is a compelling film that delves into the life of a troubled 12-year-old boy named Shaun. Set in July 1983, Shaun lives with his widowed mother and faces constant bullying at school and in his community. The story begins with Shaun getting into a fight with a boy named Harvey after Harvey mocks Shaun’s father, who died in the Falklands War. On his way home, Shaun encounters a group of skinheads led by Woody, who takes pity on him and invites him to join their gang.
Shaun bonds with the gang members, including Milky, the only Black skinhead, and Woody’s girlfriend, Lol, who becomes a maternal figure to him. Shaun also develops a romantic interest in Michelle, an older girl who embraces the new wave and new romantic styles. However, the group’s dynamics change when Combo, a charismatic but unstable former skinhead, returns from prison. Combo’s nationalist and racist views create tension, eventually splitting the gang. Combo manipulates Shaun by exploiting the boy’s grief over his father’s death, leading Shaun to side with him. As the story unfolds, the film explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the impact of societal pressures on young individuals.
Cast director: Shane Meadows
Cast actor: Thomas Turgoose, Stephen Graham, Jo Hartley, Andrew Shim, Vicky McClure, Joseph Gilgun, Perry Benson, Andrew Ellis, Jack O’Connell, Rosamund Hanson
Original name: This Is England