It's 2016 in a dying mining town in northeast England. Syrian refugees are moving in and attracting racist attitudes among the downtrodden locals. TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) owns the local pub, The Old Oak. His father was a miner who struggled in the 1984 strike. The bar is barely hanging on and he has almost given up on trying to do good. He strikes up an unlikely friendship with young Syrian woman Yara (Ebla Mari).
This is apparently director Ken Loach's final film. The man has done enough in his late 80's and deserves to retire. This is very much his liberal idealism on full display. I do question two aspects. Yara is the only young Syrian woman without a hijab. That seems to be deliberate and I think it's a mistake. Does he think that the regular audience would be unable to root for her if she's wearing one? The other elephant in the room is Brexit. I don't know if this takes place before the vote or after the vote. Maybe I missed it.
Mostly, I think that Loach is trying too hard. The stereotypes are too broad and obvious. Loach is hitting everything on the nose. He has always gave humanity and reality to the lower class. This is different. He does not leave anything to interpretation. He is saying everything directly and out loud. In that way, this is his last sermon and it shows.
This is apparently director Ken Loach's final film. The man has done enough in his late 80's and deserves to retire. This is very much his liberal idealism on full display. I do question two aspects. Yara is the only young Syrian woman without a hijab. That seems to be deliberate and I think it's a mistake. Does he think that the regular audience would be unable to root for her if she's wearing one? The other elephant in the room is Brexit. I don't know if this takes place before the vote or after the vote. Maybe I missed it.
Mostly, I think that Loach is trying too hard. The stereotypes are too broad and obvious. Loach is hitting everything on the nose. He has always gave humanity and reality to the lower class. This is different. He does not leave anything to interpretation. He is saying everything directly and out loud. In that way, this is his last sermon and it shows.