To say that this film is the most real film that I've watched in a long time?

[BeyondApproach]

I don't know what gets films nominated for Oscars or Emmys (or is that for music?) but this film, the direction? The actors are fucking unbelievably talented (young). It was like watching real life. It feels like you're watching a documentary rather than a film as their acting is so unbelievably good.

It's this one. Rocks

The story is moving. It's a film I personally needed to watch because I can be a little bit of an arsehole and I tend to only consider my own pain and not consider what other people might be going through.

It's set in London. I've never seen anything as good in my life. Honestly. If you watch nothing else this week, watch this.

Watch it. Cannes film festival? Somebody has to pick this up. It's OUTSTANDING.

If anyone has watched it, I'd love to see whether you felt the same as me? It's a life I'm surrounded by but never really get to see inside.

If this film doesn't win at least one award, then there's a lot wrong with the film festival award things.

My DH had five motorbikes stolen in one year by the residents of the local council estate; let’s not pretend that they are deserving of anything but judgement.

And the kids of these people, who would choose a different life if they could, are they deserving of judgement? Written off before they have started?

Thank god there's still people like you @SuperCamp

Watched this on your recommendation OP. It was very 'real' and the acting was superb. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm delighted to hear that. I never usually recommend things as taste is very personal, but I just thought that this film was deserving of the 'some arsehole on MN recommends' stamp of approval! 😆

Sorry, I hadn't come back to this thread as I was actually a little upset by one of the poster's comments. I didn't have an idyllic childhood and I was always in awe of some homes where kindness was just a given. I still remember all of my friend's mothers with fondness. You thankfully were a beacon of hope for that young lad.

@BeyondApproach
Just watched this and you're right, it was excellent! Thanks for recommending it!

You're very welcome. I'm just amazed that it never won an award!

I would like to say 'I'm glad you enjoyed it' but it's not that sort of film. It's more of a 'I'm glad I watched that as it has broadened my mind' kinda film.

My daughter has done acting up until a few years ago but emphasis was more on pronouncing the words for the audience (Mums and Dads) than for a film crew. Those actors were brilliant!
I know it's not a happy film in a way, but it sort of is too in a way.

I've just watched this because of this thread. I'm glad I did. It's not my usual kind of film either but it was well worth watching.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's a shame it hasn't won awards because to 'act' those roles takes serious talent. The Director too. Brilliant.

I'm not into arty sad films either but this was uplifting in a way too. I think it's one that I was somehow meant to watch for some reason.

Man, I missed this post too! Going to have a look now.

Yesss it’s a brilliant film! I watched it a couple of years ago and loved it. It’s so powerful but in a really quiet and understated way.

Absolutely second this - you’re a star @SuperCamp 🌺❤️

Watched it and loved it

Fantastic uplifting film. Ignore the negative posters who clearly have not seen the film and are just bashing working class kids for no reason.

I'm glad I wasn't alone in enjoying it. It was actually quite powerful. I tend to have very mundane taste in films. I rarely watch the more real ones so I was surprised how totally absorbed I was from the very beginning of it. It might have been that the accents are familiar. I'm not sure why I was drawn to it. I think that it taught me something though. I think I was somehow meant to watch it. My life can be enough to deal with without dealing with difficult topics so I watch movies for entertainment and distraction. I'm in awe at how young those actors were though. My dd did acting but it was very 'stage drama', not this level of acting.

Thanks for posting this! I was up at 4a.m because of a rotten cold and couldn't get back to sleep, so I just watched this on my phone. Totally agree that the acting was amazing - felt like I was in their world completely. The young people were incredible but the teachers also were so good. There are some Hollywood actors who could learn a thing or two from this cast!

I wonder were they in an acting school and this was 'method acting' (too young for that possibly?) or how the hell do you get children that young (I'm not sure how young the lead character was) to be that talented and natural?

I suppose it's the difference between trained singers with a bit of talent taken to its best and the raw untrained talent that Simon Cowell tends to go for.

If I remember rightly they went to local schools and just did loads of workshops with kids. None had training.

Christ people - put a spoiler alert in!

Or try not to give too much away.

@FayeGovan Thank you, watched this last night, it was excellent!

I actually don't think they were 'acting' for a lot of it. I think they were just being themselves, which is why it felt authentic.

Love, love, love " The Angel's Share'. A very different feel to Rocks (it's very funny) but so real and acted by real people in the community. I've watched it many times.

OP I've watched the 1st 10 mins of Rocks this morning and will watch the full thing. It strikes me so far that in the crowd scenes they're all just being themselves rather than any marvellous acting.

Thanks for the recommendation, I am going to watch it this afternoon.

Incase anyone is interested it is on Netflix until 30th September.

I quite liked it but it was full of stereotypes bordering on racism . Also it tried so hard to be diverse it wasn't a true representation of families in that area of London. They are not 90% black.