I think this film is flying over quite a few reviewers heads on here, expecting it to be "Top Boy". Having not seen that show and going in very open minded, I have to say I think Kaluuya and co. Have handled this feature debut extremely well.
The duelling ideologies between both patriarchal figures in Benji's life is the centre point of this piece, one striving to get out of the poverty, and one fighting for their territory. If this central argument is of interest to you, I believe the film will be for you.
The pacing will be too slow for quite a lot of typical Netflix users who can't pay attention for more than 5 mins unless The Rock shows up, but the social commentary and characters feel well lived in this universe. The ending unfortunately is somewhat a mixed bag - we do get a (if somewhat abrupt) conclusion to the story, but if anything it doesn't quite deliver to the high calibre the rest of the film set.
I have to say the 2 poorly worded negative reviews that other users have left here don't do the film justice. Is it perfect? No. But it has for more nuance and subtlety than a lot of directorial debuts would. I think that subtext will fly under peoples heads who are expecting violence, drugs, explosions etc.
Also big up Ian Wright on his film debut!
The duelling ideologies between both patriarchal figures in Benji's life is the centre point of this piece, one striving to get out of the poverty, and one fighting for their territory. If this central argument is of interest to you, I believe the film will be for you.
The pacing will be too slow for quite a lot of typical Netflix users who can't pay attention for more than 5 mins unless The Rock shows up, but the social commentary and characters feel well lived in this universe. The ending unfortunately is somewhat a mixed bag - we do get a (if somewhat abrupt) conclusion to the story, but if anything it doesn't quite deliver to the high calibre the rest of the film set.
I have to say the 2 poorly worded negative reviews that other users have left here don't do the film justice. Is it perfect? No. But it has for more nuance and subtlety than a lot of directorial debuts would. I think that subtext will fly under peoples heads who are expecting violence, drugs, explosions etc.
Also big up Ian Wright on his film debut!