Summer (2008)

A big-hearted social realism which is a strong meditative piece of work, showing flashbacks of two kids then turning into teens, living on the same estate and spending their days getting always into trouble. The story dips in and out of the past, suggesting the source of current woes. As a portrait of stasis brought on by poverty and a study of abandon gone sour in the face of zero opportunities, this is an extremely sensitive stuff, even though there's little that ends up surprising. This movie hasn't been successful at all, though having a decent cast and handling very interesting themes, however it certainly deserves a good rate.

Shaun and Daz have been friends since School. Now, in their adulthood, Daz is terminally ill and wheelchair bound. Shaun himself is unemployed and full of frustration and anger about his life. The movie works very well with the flashbacks to their youth when they were tearing around the local neighbourhood and, sometimes, getting into trouble. Shaun develops huge problems by not being able to cope with Dyslexia and the viewer sees his life falling apart. There is also a strong sense that society (and the authorities) are letting Shaun down. This social drama has many facets but it mainly draws on the perceptions that are out there about Dyslexia and its associated problems. The performances, both by Carlyle and Evets are outstanding, the photography sublime and the screenplay is as real as it gets. Highly underrated in my humble opinion.

From Scottish BAFTA winning director Kenneth Glenaan (Magnificent 7, The Good Samaritan), I didn't really know what to expect from this film, only relying on the four star rating and leading actor. Basically Shaun (Scottish BAFTA nominated Robert Carlyle) has been living with and looking after his friend Daz (Steve Evets, who I recognised from an episode of Casualty featured in Harry Hill's TV Burp) ever since his horrible accident owing to his crippling. It all happened in the summer time, and in a series of flashbacks, we see how young Shaun (Matthew Workman, Sean Kelly) and Daz (Christopher Russell, Joe Doherty, Jo Doherty) spent this time. There were happy times spent int he sunshine, and with their friend, well, Shaun's love interest as well, Katy (Bethan Davies, Joanna Tulej). But there were also bad times, like Shaun being labelled as a bully, and he managed to drag his bad luck along with Daz, and of course it all ended tragically with Daz losing his ability to walk. Shaun has to face his past as Daz is on death's door, and he is reunited with Katy (Rachael Blake) as well, but in the end, the death happens, and Shaun tries to see what his future will be like, and whether he can have a happy summer again. Caryle makes quite a good lead, and Evets has his small moments as the crippled friend, it is a subtle film, but with near enough interesting moments to keep you hooked, so a worthwhile drama. It won the Scottish BAFTA for Best Feature Film. Good!

It tells the story of a small town. Of a few wild and good teenagers, of which few of them could not grow up no matter how hard they tried. It is a well written and well acted. It shows the nestled world of these two loyal friends and a girl. Some would be able to relate much more to this movie., but everyone will like it for the way it looks at the protagonist life. Its got some great shots and a simple but lovely background music. In a way the movie is a little sad, but also paints the beautiful picture of the mad/nice world some youngsters create for themselves, and then loose. In a way its the tale of a man who had most of what he needed at one point in time and later on none of it. But that's fine.