I don't tend to review films based on this interesting editing style or that clever visual device, but I find that this film has been going around and around in my head over the last few days. In fact - the only thing that I care about in films is whether or not I enjoy it, and with the curiously named Ill Manors, I find myself giving a definite thumbs up.
The main character of the film - Aaron (played by Riz Ahmed of "Four Lions" fame) seems to represent someone trying to do the right thing in a world where being weak is not tolerated at any level.
Ill Manors is an amazingly frank and gritty film that highlights the dangers of being a "wannabe gangsta" in modern day Britain. With nicely detailed characters, backed up through the use of catchy rap music, this video jumps out of the screen and shows the viewer some of what really goes on out there.
Just a quick warning - it's not a pretty picture - but then I have to ask the question: without family and love, is the world a pretty place? The answer I feel is demonstrated repeatedly in this film.
The main attraction with Ill Manors is that it draws the viewer in by glamorising the lifestyle of a gangster, but then teaches some important lessons about what can happen out there. In modern day Britain, where people are more interested in giving young people their freedom and rights whilst forgetting to teach responsibility - for me, Ill Manors should be commended for trying to get this message across whilst not seeming cheesy or badly compiled.
There were a few points in the film that could have used more research in order to convince me. Drug usage is well researched but is still a little unbelievable based on what I know, so I would have hoped for more from a film.
In the end though, I am really hoping that they make a sequel to this movie. It would be a happy time for me if they did. I would go so far as to say that this is amongst my most loved films, if for nothing else than it being one of the better British ones from a debut director.
The main character of the film - Aaron (played by Riz Ahmed of "Four Lions" fame) seems to represent someone trying to do the right thing in a world where being weak is not tolerated at any level.
Ill Manors is an amazingly frank and gritty film that highlights the dangers of being a "wannabe gangsta" in modern day Britain. With nicely detailed characters, backed up through the use of catchy rap music, this video jumps out of the screen and shows the viewer some of what really goes on out there.
Just a quick warning - it's not a pretty picture - but then I have to ask the question: without family and love, is the world a pretty place? The answer I feel is demonstrated repeatedly in this film.
The main attraction with Ill Manors is that it draws the viewer in by glamorising the lifestyle of a gangster, but then teaches some important lessons about what can happen out there. In modern day Britain, where people are more interested in giving young people their freedom and rights whilst forgetting to teach responsibility - for me, Ill Manors should be commended for trying to get this message across whilst not seeming cheesy or badly compiled.
There were a few points in the film that could have used more research in order to convince me. Drug usage is well researched but is still a little unbelievable based on what I know, so I would have hoped for more from a film.
In the end though, I am really hoping that they make a sequel to this movie. It would be a happy time for me if they did. I would go so far as to say that this is amongst my most loved films, if for nothing else than it being one of the better British ones from a debut director.