Don't watch if depressed

Rating: Null/10 (16 September 2002)

After all the hype about it, when I finally got around to watching it I found that this film wasn't as great as it was made to be. In fact, it had pretty much the same formula used in most British films. The setting is a depressing, dull (both in weather and in environment) area which feels suffocating just to watch and the characters are all working class who have no real future prospects and are forever stuck in a rut. It makes me wonder if all foreigners see the British like this.
That said, Jamie Bell delivered an excellent performance and it's easy to see he is destined for a career in acting if he plays his cards right. Gary Lewis and Julie Walters were also exceptional and you really felt that they both loved and cared for this kid in their own way.