An interesting film, with strong central performances, which nevertheless doesn't quite work. It captures the boredom and monotony of lives in many British cities in the 1980's. The cities that had been ravaged by the unemployment that had resulted from the neo-liberal policies of the Margaret Thatcher led Conservative Party.
The film is strongest in its portrayal of the eponymous central characters whose believability stems from them being unable and unwilling to change. It's refreshing to see a film that doesn't soften the edges of their characters by portraying them as having gleaned lessons from their actions resulting in them becoming better people.
Visually, the film is impressive, imbuing the audience with the same feeling of claustrophobia the characters possess. Sometimes the feeling is so oppressive it seems as if you are stuck there in the flat with them, almost overcome with the smell of stale cigarette smoke, spilt home brew and dog.
Despite a lot of positives, the film never feels as if it is the sum of its parts. The scenes work in isolation but put together never quite add up to a satisfying film. It more closely resembles a series of short films welded together that doesn't quite work as a cohesive whole.
The film is strongest in its portrayal of the eponymous central characters whose believability stems from them being unable and unwilling to change. It's refreshing to see a film that doesn't soften the edges of their characters by portraying them as having gleaned lessons from their actions resulting in them becoming better people.
Visually, the film is impressive, imbuing the audience with the same feeling of claustrophobia the characters possess. Sometimes the feeling is so oppressive it seems as if you are stuck there in the flat with them, almost overcome with the smell of stale cigarette smoke, spilt home brew and dog.
Despite a lot of positives, the film never feels as if it is the sum of its parts. The scenes work in isolation but put together never quite add up to a satisfying film. It more closely resembles a series of short films welded together that doesn't quite work as a cohesive whole.