Obey (2018) User Reviews

nothing special

[natcalgary · 5/10 · 28 November 2018]

I didn't expect much and didn't get much. Sub par acting, the plot was predictable and mundane.

4.8

Unfinished business...

[candibrown-93309 · 5/10 · 28 November 2018]

This movie could have been so great...it really saddens me...the parts that are shown were really good to me...the problem is it's like watching a movie that you fell asleep on 3 or 4 times...waking up again and again having to figure out what you missed...it was a lot going on but nothing was completely explored in it's entirety...this could have easily been a two hour movie to better open and close the chapters of the story...for what it was though I would recommend it if you have a broad imagination...kind of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces...but still being able to see what the picture is supposed to look like in the end...

London austerity

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 10 January 2019]

I saw that another reviewer compared Obey to La Haine and I can get that if you base it on rebelling youth without any future against police brutality but Obey is more about a young guy searching for love whilst living with his alcoholic mother and her bad relationship choices. A good job done by Marcus Rutherford playing the young and desperate Leon. The London riots just add to the dark story, where the people live day by day without any hope of a brighter future. La Haine on the other hand was purely about ghetto youth against the whole corrupt system. A movie that I preferred to Obey if I have to be honest but to me it's a totally different movie. That said, Obey isn't a bad movie.

Mundane and predictable

[fellini_58701 · 2/10 · 17 June 2019]

Obviously this film has good intentions in telling the story that it wants to tell but unfortunately it falls flat with a way to familiar story I have seen told in films way to many times about how rough it is to be young living in an urban ghetto side of town. It was predictable mundane and at times a bit boring.

Solid Seven

[mspray11 · 7/10 · 29 November 2018]

Took a shot in the dark on this one and was pleasantly surprised. It portrays how wicked humanity has truly become.

Boring & Predictable

[marklaw-37806 · 1/10 · 1 April 2020]

I anticipate all those middle-class "hip" critics will do the usual thing and call this film "gritty", "realistic" and all the other "worthy" epithets. I just found it boring and depressing. The actors did their best. But we need something more than just a mirror on our society today. I know what it looks like outside my front door. We need something to inspire us. To point us to a new world. Rated "1" out of frustration.

A London Riots Movie That Resists the Usual Gang Cliches

[Marc_Horrickan · 7/10 · 3 October 2018]

Jamie Jones ambitious debut feature throbs with a fearsome energy and a strong undercurrent of class critique. Despite ostensibly taking place against the backdrop of the London riots of 2011, the film is very much of the contemporary moment, looking at the clash of class, identity and an increasingly paranoid State apparatus. This is class conflict writ large across the London cityscape.

Jones' has discovered an exciting new British acting talent in Marcus Rutherford, who plays Leon, a young mixed heritage estate kid, disciplined through boxing, but with little else to give his life any real structure or purpose. The director does well to make Leon the central character that we follow through the oppressive rioting violence of an inner city in the throes of rampant gentrification and social displacement. By following Leon around the clearly defined limits of his world, all constriction and constraint, it enables Jones and his production team to look at the riots from the perspective of both an active participant and an utterly disinterested passerby. It gives the film the absurdity of a scene in which Leon has a conversation with his case worker in the street as some overzealous police officers manhandle a 'suspect' to the ground, while also having the spectacle of the extras-heavy riot sequences toward the film's close. Frustration and disillusionment pours forth from the screen, but this is ably balanced by the humour of the bantering friends, as in the film's expertly shot opening street sequence.

Amidst the escalating chaos and carnage, which would feel almost sci-fi if we weren't currently under this Tory government, there are moments of searing beauty and integrity. I particularly loved Leon's sheer wonder at a peaceful space within the city when the privileged class tourist Twiggy (Sophie Kennedy Clark) takes him for a ride along the canal in her barge boat. Likewise, sitting with Twiggy and her boyfriend on top of one of London's many elevated heath's and commons, Leon feels a momentary respite from the sirens of the city below. What makes OBEY a smarter film than one might initially imagine, is the way in which it focuses upon the inability for almost any of the character's to truly escape their backgrounds and find their own space in the city. Class is the lock that we all must obey.

Snooze fest

[tryan-42632 · 1/10 · 14 October 2020]

Amazing how well the movie can put you to sleep. I genuinely fell asleep twice while trying to get through this film. Tries a bit to hard in places where the lack of dialogue and mundane nature of the character(s) fails to grab any attention. Could it be a better film if the packing was different? Hard to say as the character and actions were all quite predictable and boring.

Better than expected.

[StuartNewman101 · 7/10 · 8 September 2020]

I really enjoyed this. Had no expectations and it delivered a reasonably realistic portrayal of street life in 2011. Worked for me.

La Haine in London

[roseloren · 10/10 · 28 November 2018]

I lived in London for many years and this is one of the very few films that has portrayed the rough times during 2011 London Riots in such realistic and vibrant way. Superbly directed with great performances and no pretension. More films like this should be made so that we are aware of what's happening beyond our bubbles...

Pleasantly suprised!!! Authentically on point, great film

[SammyKnowles88 · 10/10 · 29 November 2018]

Didn't know what to expect watching this but it opened by eyes to that side of London life and culture. For an unknown cast, some brilliant performances.

A really great film !

[spookyontour · 10/10 · 5 December 2018]

An impressive debut film from Jamie Jones which is beautifully shot with two outstanding performances from T'nia Miller and Marcus Rutherford. I was living in London at the time of the riots and this film not only captures the tension of the time very well but the insight into life in inner city London is spot on. Highly recommended.

Quadrapheania for 2000's

[hazed-45839 · 10/10 · 17 July 2019]

I just finished watching obey and I took a gamble watching it as it wasn't my usual type of pick but wow what a surprise to find such a great film. Marcus Rutherfords excellent portrayal of a youth trapped in a social hell hole struggling to do right, you can't help but root for him as he struggles against circumstances beyond his control. As my title says I was much reminded of the first time I watched quadrapheania, the wild struggle of our youth finding a way to live in a world that just doesn't care or see their plight, the portrayal of your mates that effectively become your family was done brilliantly and the spiral of situations and events that push you inevitably toward a life you just may not want or see coming. Just brilliant. Watch this film and be heartened by the fact British filmmaking is by no means lacking directorial talent or acting talent for that matter. I can honestly say I didn't see one bad portrayal in the entire film. Wow what a refreshing experience to be captivated by a movie, totally caught up in the lead actors situation and with barely a word spoken Marcus portrays every emotion and thought like youre in his head, just a brilliant example of acting, puts some of the so called great actors to shame! . All I can say is I'll be looking to find other films with these actors and directors/producers. Bravo! More! More!

Breathtaking debut from future Star Marcus Rutherford

[jayjaydavis-11955 · 10/10 · 28 November 2018]

In this raw, uncompromising drama based on the 2011 London riots. T'nia Miller, and Marcus Rutherford steal the show with gritty, dramatic, accurate portrayals of the intricate complexities of people affected by poverty, abandonment, and austerity. These themes are thus transferred from experience into full rebellions and riots.

Loved this

[walshj-01468 · 10/10 · 8 November 2020]

A really good film, story draws you in very well and it feels real. Not sure why some people give this bad reviews, this is a very decent film . Recommended

Excellent

[codexniagra · 10/10 · 29 November 2018]

A very real and moving character study. Predictable in a couple of places but more because it's clear that's how those characters would react in each given situation, rather than because there was anything wrong with the writing.

A beauty!

[dcdsm-62030 · 10/10 · 6 December 2018]

Such an interesting film, worth the watch. The soundtrack in particular is super effective and I was fully immersed the whole screening. Would watch again.

London Riots

[westsideschl · 8/10 · 31 December 2018]

With the London riots of 2011 dominating the background the movie focuses on the conditions & lives of a few of the teen participants. From the rebellious affluent to the less educated poor as they struggle for some meaning, fun and survival. Dialogue filled w/profanity with some sexually explicit.