See the trailer below...
This is England rated very favourably amongst critics. A few reviews can be found below...
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article1705669.ece
http://www.film4.com/reviews/2006/this-is-england
http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/this-is-england
I have highlighted a few key scenes that I think will be particularly useful for my project. I have made a few notes on these scenes, and provided a bit of analysis, showing why they are useful to me and what their value is in terms of the inclusion of This Is England in my catalogue.
The Tunnel Scene
- Firstly, we are introduced to a number of youths, who we deem to be the cooler kids of the area, sitting in the tunnel playing a throwing game and conversing in a confident, jokey manner.
- Woody is clearly shown to be the leader of this group, as he takes the lead role in the conversation and has a whole side of pavement to himself in the tunnel. He is shown to have leadership and communication skills.
- Woody seems to make it his duty to make Shaun feel better, and therefore invites him to sit down in the tunnel and discuss his problems. Woody then makes a joke about Harvey, the boy who has been bullying Shaun, and makes Shaun feel better by doing so. When Shaun is again made fun of by others in the group, Woody and Milky stand up for him.
- Gadget is visibly jealous and acts in a very petty manner towards Shaun, as he doesn't want his place in the 'social standing' to be taken by a 12 year old kid, he feels threatened by Shaun's perceived popularity within the group and is jealous of this.
- At the beginning of the film, Shaun is just an innocent little kid. He has long hair and wears flares, he grieves about the loss of his father, washes cars for pocket money, plays with slingshots, eats sweets, rides his bike and sits alone in an abandoned boat. He is a typical 12 year old boy, and has been described as a "shaggy haired ruffian".
The "Hunting" Scene
- Initially Shaun is wary of Gadget's invitation, but then agrees to go along.
- There is great camaraderie, everyone is having fun, and Shaun looks as though he belongs somewhere at last.
- Gadget again gets jealous of Shaun "taking his place" and feels that he's "gone down in the ranks". The rest of the guys assure him that this is nonsence and everyone seems to be happy again. It again shows the insecurity that some people have, and that all some people want is to belong to something, and to be wanted, and to matter.
- When they are leaving, Gadget again falls to the back of the group, and this could be construed as a metaphor for being left behind by the group.
Slow Motion Walking Scene
- Shows the closeness of the group, and the fact that the boys and the girls are both important.
- The football scene also shows this, abd the fact that Shaun is now a fully integrated member of the group. However, Gadget is put in goal, so therefore isn't really part of the fun.
- In the scene before swimming, where the group are walking through a housing area, Gadget is again shown to be fighting, this time with Pukey. When they are sitting on the concrete hill, the group is assembled at the top of the hill, apart from Gadget, who is at the bottom and is getting stones thrown at him.
- When it returns to the slow motion walking scene, it shows the group walking in almost single file. Woody and Shaun are at the front of the group, whilst Gadget is languishing right at the back. The other characters seem to be walking two by two, but Gadget is at the very back by himself.
Haircut Scene
- Shaun just wants to be a part of "the gang", to belong somewhere. Maybe as his dad has died, he is trying to join a new "family". Getting his hair cut and changing his clothes is a symbol of change. This is the moment when Shaun changes from being an innocent child and starts off on the road to becoming a skinhead.
- Gadget comes in carrying a tray of tea, again shows how his role in the group is very minor.
