As the Impact of Cantas threat cuts deep into Johns psyche, so too his Internalized retreat is symbolized by the low ceilings and sparse surroundings of his home, dominated by the brooding menace of his father. The streets become equally menacing, especially in the dark and murky evenings. Until, entering under the solitary spill of the streetlight, comes his colourful, swaggering brother Benny.
In design and composition it is the world as John sees and experiences it. I want the film to be bold whilst not trying to ingratiate itself to its younger audience. It has to create a unique, mysterious, volatile and often violent world, at the centre of which is a young boy trying desperately to work out his place within it. Nominations and Awards Feature Film Selection All rights reserved c info efa-productions. A picaresque, quasi-autobiographical evocation of a s Glasgow adolescence, Neds — if not quite in the league of that coming-of-age classic — could be described as a Scottish Blows plus a few razor slashings and a headbutt or two.
We meet protagonist John McGill played aged 10 by Gregg Forrest as a serious-minded altar boy bound for success — then caught reading a book by bully Canta Gary Milligan , who vows to make his life a misery.
But John's big brother Benny Joe Szula is a feared hard man, who promptly gives Canta a summary warning involving two bottles strung round his neck. When John starts his new school, he's put down a grade because of his brother's reputation.
Everyone insists he's bad news, so he decides to conform to expectation. At 14, John now Conor McCarron joins a gang and joins in local rumbles, some murderously brutal.
Our sympathies are with the misunderstood lad, but Mullan makes a point of testing them, notably when John commits a horrific act of violence, then goes straight back to an interrupted snog.
Neds — reputedly standing for "Non-Educated Delinquents" — is a film with plenty on its plate. It's about teenage masculinity, and about a moribund teaching system dedicated to grinding down individuality through systematic humiliation. The school scenes offer terrific, sardonic comedy, picturing a cadre of sour-souled, chalk-fingered, instinctively punitive men: Steven Robertson stands out as a pompous Latin master who believes that when a pupil excels, it's a special opportunity to embarrass him.
And Gary Lewis has a relishable cameo as a teacher who greets latecomers with the bitterly sarcastic, mock-cordial offer of a piggyback. The film is also very evocative of the s, a rare British example of getting that decade right.
There are a few sparely-used knee-jerk signifiers of the era, what you might call generically "Curly Wurlys", such as a TV clip Hector's House and assorted pop nudges.
I'm not sure it works in the fight scene, but full marks for choosing "Cheek to Cheek", as crooned by Glasgow's terrifying pre-punk hero Alex Harvey. Goofs Teachers were not allowed to smoke in classrooms in the mids. Quotes Fergie : Benny McGill's wee brother's a smart wee cunt. Connections Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 12 January User reviews 44 Review.
Top review. A good film that gives a very accurate portrayal of what life can be like for a young kid growing up in Glasgow. The highlight of the film is the performance of Conor McCarron as a bright student who makes the wrong choices and finds himself part of a young gang. However, the last twenty minutes or so are a bit of a struggle as Mullan seems to find it difficult to find a suitable ending to the film.
At just over 2 hours, it could be argued that "neds" is a tad too long. Perhaps omitting the "Jesus vision" would have been a good start. Jacobsnemesis Jan 21, Details Edit. Release date April 20, United States. United Kingdom France Italy. Official site. English Scots Latin. Non-Educated Delinquents. Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK. Box office Edit. Technical specs Edit.
Runtime 2 hours 4 minutes. Dolby Digital. Related news. Scots stars join the Academy by Jennie Kermode - Jul 2 eyeforfilm. Apr 19 Women and Hollywood.
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