NEDS stands for Non-Educated Delinquents – it’s the story of young John McGill, a bright and quiet boy growing up in 1970s Glasgow under considerable strain stemming from an abusive father, and being tarnished by the reputation of his older brother Benny, the local hardnut. He falls in with the wrong crowd and becomes one of said delinquents. At first glance, then, you might expect it to be ‘This Is Scotland, 1976’. Which, it sort of is, but also isn’t.
Director Peter Mullan employs a very realistic and almost naturalistic style throughout the film, from the cinematography to the acting. The cast are comprised of a bunch of unknown non-actors, which lends a stark rawness to the film that would be difficult to achieve any other way.
Glasgow looks very different to the depictions that we usually see on screen. Instead of a grey, miserable, dilapidated metropolis, there’s a lot of leafy greenery – lush gardens, estates surrounded by greens and stretches of grass and forest. This helps to draw us in, rather than reject the film as just another tale of violence and crime in the city.
So too does the humour in the film. There are some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, and the young cast display expert timing. As the film goes on, however, the humour becomes progressively more and more jarring next to John McGill’s dark descent into sociopathy.
Definitely worth checking out, if you’re in the mood for a thoughtful, bleak, and provocative film, which will stay with you for quite some time.
If you want to see it, go to www.queensfilmtheatre.com and book tickets using the code ORLA10 for discount!
No comments:
Post a Comment