'A Room For Romeo Brass' is the best British film I've seen in years, if that doesn't sound like too much of a cliche. It's almost completely undefinable- just when you think that it's a real-life type of comedy, it switches to being extremely disturbing, and you don't quite know where you are for the rest of the movie (in the best possible way, believe me). Paddy Considine plays Morrell, the mysterious, child-like adult who befriends two schoolboys after coming to their aid when they become involved in a fight with some local lads. Their uneasy and strange friendship with Morrell continues after he becomes obsessed with the sister of Romeo(one of the boys, and the eponymous character), and the life-long friendship of the two boys is slowly driven apart as Morrell becomes increasingly obbsessive.
Like all of Shane Meadows films, it takes a look at the working-class world of his youth, but is unique amongst this type of British film because it's funny without being sentimental or condescending, and dark without being depressing. Meadows is certainly ploughing his own unique furrow, which kickstarted with the fabulous 'Twentyfourseven'(many cast members from that film, including Bob Hoskins, make cameos here). Paddy Considine is fantastic, and it beggars belief that this was his first ever screen appearance. His portrayal of Morrell is both sympathetic and terrifying and you can never underestimate his character for a second. The two boys are fabulous as well, and conjure up many memories of what it was like to be that age.
It's a real shame that this film didn't do better business upon its release, because it deserved to(not that that makes any difference on the film). Shane Meadows and his cast should be applauded for 'A Room For Romeo Brass'. It's fantastic. (***** out of *****).
Like all of Shane Meadows films, it takes a look at the working-class world of his youth, but is unique amongst this type of British film because it's funny without being sentimental or condescending, and dark without being depressing. Meadows is certainly ploughing his own unique furrow, which kickstarted with the fabulous 'Twentyfourseven'(many cast members from that film, including Bob Hoskins, make cameos here). Paddy Considine is fantastic, and it beggars belief that this was his first ever screen appearance. His portrayal of Morrell is both sympathetic and terrifying and you can never underestimate his character for a second. The two boys are fabulous as well, and conjure up many memories of what it was like to be that age.
It's a real shame that this film didn't do better business upon its release, because it deserved to(not that that makes any difference on the film). Shane Meadows and his cast should be applauded for 'A Room For Romeo Brass'. It's fantastic. (***** out of *****).