THIS IS ENGLAND

A film by British Director Shane Meadows; it brings us to the soulful blast from the past in the year of 1983. Where flannel shirts and doc martens were the fashion trend during that decade and would influence the adolescent time in the 90’s. The story is about another coming of age; it imbibes the feeling of searching and having the identity of how we were as teens. It is about the Joy of belongingness and the bliss of acceptance from a group where we can just discover and be ourselves.

The story revolves around Shaun, a young adolescent, temperamental and quick with his fists. A poignant young boy who lives with his mom and been suffering the loneliness with the recent loss of his father. At school he gets bullied because of his bell-bottom trousers(where it was given to him as a gift from his dad) and how he looks indifferent from the outfits of the youth. Along his way home, he stumbles to the gang of Woody played by Joe Gilgun, and eventually finds a bond with them.

The nonchalance of the gang would make you feel amiss of your youth, where being free-spirited and carefree without responsibility has brought you thrill and pleasure. It has brought me memories of my younger days and wonder about the bestfriends I had back then.

Anyhow, the Love and friendship of the gang has brought young Shaun elation to the new environment he lives in. First experiences in choosing the shoes that he wanted has also been exemplified hilariously, that to also fit in to the ways of how the gang dresses up. Amusingly as well the gang gives him his first flannel shirt to match with his doc marten imitation shoes. Now Shaun really is one of the gang.

Just as you’d think that the movie is about teens living their confused lives, a heavy twist and situation will augment to the drama of the movie. This is England also showcases the political situation during that time and demonstrates how the youth lost their way due to the insistent political bigotry in England. The brotherhood would then be tested and new idealisms will set them apart. This becomes the main conflict of the initial happy story; A clear and magnificent representation of the effect of the Falklands War to the youth of England.

The movie is set in the East Midlands in England’s midsection, where the director was born and spent his early adolescence. Written by Mr. Meadows as well, the movie becomes an autobiographical inspiration and his reverence to the world that he lived in adrift by its political turmoil. However what made this a sentimental movie for me is the grief of its young characters for their dreams, the pleasures of their youth and their passionate camaraderie…