Sweet Sixteen (2002) (Widescreen): Amazon.ca: Martin Compston, Michelle Coulter, Annmarie Fulton, William Ruane, Michelle Abercromby, Gary McCormack, Tommy McKee, Calum McAlees, Robert Rennie, Martin McCardie, Robert Harrison, George McNeilage, Ken Loach, Paul Laverty: DVD

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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars just the way it is, Nov 7 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Sixteen (2002) (Widescreen) (DVD)

Like another reviewer, I lived in Greenock (for more than 20 years.) This sad but true look on the darker side of life, for some is a reality. I enjoyed the humour (loved the advice to the Pizza delivery for re-heating the cold Pizza), the views of the Town and feel that film was well acted & well directed. This film caused quite a stir in Greenock when released in a very "this is not us" kind of way, but as many of the good people in Greenock know, sadly their town, like any other, is threatening to be over-run with the weeping sore that is drugs.
I rate the film highly as I found it enjoyable from start to end, the banter was quite understandable but would recommend for those who hail from outside of Greenock and surrounding area to use the subtitles. Unemployment rife, all major industry gone and the heart of what was once a great shipbuilding town flushed down the Clyde by successive crappy governments - for the reviewer that felt that the ending was pathetic - he was absolutley right - it is pathetic that there are people who have to live this way and end up following the shipbuilding. The really pathetic part is this drama is happening in every town. Liam, Chantelle, Pinball, Stan - they actually exist in some form, everywhere.
I don't live in Greenock anymore - I chose life....despite many trips home to see family & friends - I couldn't live there again.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Nice movie ... nice subtitles, April 17 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sweet Sixteen (2002) (Widescreen) (DVD)

The movie is sweet in its own way ... but seriously, is there anyone outside of Glasgow who could understand a word these people were saying? Granted, it makes the girls pretty alluring, those accents ...

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4.0 out of 5 stars The Destiny of Souls, Mar 23 2004

By

D. O'Neill "Brunt, FCC" (La Verne, CA: Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sweet Sixteen (2002) (Widescreen) (DVD)

Cold, depressing and realistic, Sweet Sixteen is bitter tale of a cycle unbroken. Can anyone, let alone the poor, ever achieve a goal of shattering that progression? Are we all destined to be what we are? And can family history and your past be left behind? I enjoyed this film immensely, reminded often of how people may change, but situations remain the same. Liam (played wonderfully by the handsome, athletic and very natural Martin Compston) knows his destiny. And, like his sister, knows there is a better life. But unlike Chantelle, Liam is willing to sell his soul to get it. While Chantelle studies hard at school, bring up her adorable son Calum, Liam will risk his own life to make his imprisoned mothers life better when she gets out in a few months, a day before his sweet 16 Birthday. But, reality sets in when he realizes what he must do to get that life. And while he's willing to do it, it is slowly killing his soul.

The films coldness works, as the sun is never seen. It reminds us that Liam, and the life of many in Glasgow (and really, this could be any town in any country), are not what movies are made about. It shows with laser point accuracy for some, the only way to "move on up" is to sell what little humanity you have left. Liam's sister knows the true way to succeed, but that's not for Liam. He loves his sister, his nephew and his mom, but Chantelle is disappointed that Liam cannot see the forest for the trees.

And, like so many, he learns too late that maybe his sister is right. Maybe her bitterness at her mother is justified (as Jean proves it by going back to her hateful boyfriend, Stan) and maybe there is away out of the hell you born into.

The cast is wonderful, led my Compston's Liam. Annmarie Fulton is the sister who must protect her son and brother, but feels she is losing him. Michelle Coulter is the mother you've seen on every episode of COPS and who continues to return to the one place that is perhaps, the worse place to be. Gary McCormack is the typical villain of sorts. His Stan is filled with so much hate, that you can understand why Liam would not want to be near him. But William Ruane stands out as Liam's best friend Pinball. He too is a lost soul, but finds himself on the short end of the stick. He tries to be like Liam, but finds that his destiny is no where near his best bud.

Finally, if you rent or buy this film, watch it with the captions on. The thick Scottish accent almost makes this film a foreign language contender. Still, it's a brilliant film that demands you to watch. It may last only 108 minutes, but you'll be thinking about it long after the credits have rolled.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The side of Scotland people never see.
As someone who has lived in the council estates of Scotland all my life, I enjoyed this film becuase it shows Scotland for what it truly is. Read more

Published on Mar 12 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible movie
This is one of the best movies I have seen in a very long while. It's just incredible, the actors were great and the story was very realistic. Read more

Published on Mar 10 2004