While the likes of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh are not going to be around forever, there is so much Great British talent coming through. There's been some excellent little indies over the last couple of years - Chicken, Apostasy, Dark River, God's Own Country, Pin Cushion come immediately to mind. And now we can add Pond Life to that impressive list. Set in 1994 near Doncaster, a group of friends hear about a huge carp that only just escaped capture. Now the challenge is on. Of course, this film is not about fishing. It's about growing up in depressing post-Thatcher South Yorkshire. In a series of beautifully observed vignettes, the youngsters find solace in each other. The young actor who plays 'Pogo' is probably the standout performer of an excellent young cast, ably supported by the much more experienced (and well known) actors who play their parents. Can't wait to see what the director and cast do next. 7 and a half out of ten
Review of Pond Life
