Neds [Import]

The great character actor Peter Mullan has been in a number of terrific films since directing 2002's intense "The Magdalene Sisters." If "NEDS" is any indication, though, he should step behind the camera more often. This gritty, affecting, depressing film is a visceral experience and one of the hardest edged coming-of-age stories you're likely to encounter. NEDS stands for Non Educated Delinquents and the film charts one boy's progression into adulthood on the tumultuous and violent streets of Glasgow during the seventies. It is not an easy story to love, but it is a dramatic powerhouse that you won't soon forget. In an interesting choice, the primary character tends to be thoroughly unlikable--but you always understand him due to the circumstances of his existence. An abusive father, a hoodlum brother, an indifferent school system, an unescapable class division--John McGill can count on nothing but his intellect to extricate himself from his hopeless surroundings. But something always seems to hold him back.

As an isolated loner, John is at the top of his class. Just the very threat of his brother's retribution keeps him safe from the neighborhood toughs. But when his only friend turns away, John finds himself encircled by an unlikely group of new co-horts. Joining a junior gang, John soon starts to embrace a lawlessness and bravado. And as his life veers away from academics into violence, there may be no turning back. All the built up rage and uncertainty manifests itself in shocking and unpleasant ways which might even isolate him from his new buddies. John's descent is both harrowing and sadly realistic, but the film channels an unrelenting hope amidst the hopelessness. Is there any escape? Can John emerge from the lion's den unscathed and be better for it (an apt metaphor used in the film)?

Central to the success of "NEDS" is the unpredictable and riveting performance of Conor McCarron, who charts the ups and downs of John's journey with precision. The film rests squarely in his hands--you've got to be invested in the character and I wholeheartedly was. Mullan shows up as John's alcoholic father, and the entire supporting cast is spot-on. Moving and disturbing, this is a movie that will get under your skin and stick with you. A big recommendation. Unpleasant at times, to be sure, but worth it. Be forewarned, however, the accents and language are absolutely brutal (especially by the NEDS). The DVD defaults to playing with subtitles and, trust me, you'll need them! A serious film for adult audiences that appreciate hard edged drama, check this one out! KGHarris, 8/11.

A next story of gray British commoners' daily routine when good boy is pressed by peers to be rude, sexist and offensive -with body-harming off hands and ambiguous ending.

I hardly know what was the most highlighted-stupidity or ignorance of so-called egocentrics towards everything and everyone as the final stills provided?

NEDS or Non Educated Delinquents (which is a bacronym) is slang for 'chav' or in America I would suggest 'redneck'. This is a Film 4 production from Peter Mullan (writer, director and actor). He was responsible for the excellent `Magdalene Sisters'. This is set in early 1970's Glasgow and focuses on John McGill, who is doing rather well at school despite his dysfunctional home life. His mother is a bag of nerves and in denial about her rubbish life, his father is a drunken bully and his older brother is a Ned. He then starts Secondary school and soon realises that survival needs more than just studying.

His brothers' reputation leads other gang bullies to accept him as one of them and the pupil soon becomes the teacher. This is an excellently observed piece of film making. I could relate to so much of it, the fact that he would watch `Robinson Crusoe' (French black and white serial that the BBC would show in the summer holidays) with the curtains drawn, teachers smoking and the corporeal punishment from those same teachers. And the sound track is spot on with the likes of `The Sweet' and `Wizard' to name but two.

The acting is superb, but a word on the accents, they are broad Glaswegian, and may prove a bit hard to understand in places, Mullan has gone for authenticity over clarity if you get my meaning, and fair play to him for that. He actually used real Neds; one had to be let out of remand to finish it.

He has been criticised for stereotyping working class people as drunken thugs or bullies, but I grew up in a situation which mirrored a lot of what took place here and for me it had a lot of resonance and therefore came across as very real and very believable.

It is not a short film at 124 minutes but it does fly by. There are frequent scenes of violence and very strong language throughout, but that is the reality of how it was and in some places still is, only the police are not quite as rubbish as portrayed here. It is not primarily about gang culture, but more a study in nurture over nature, and living in a very macho centric world. I gave it five stars as I loved it and hope you will too; I look forward to the next offering from Mr Mullan.