Stephen Graham and Vicky McClure star in the iconic film (Image: Optimum Releasing)
The ensemble cast also includes Jo Hartley, Joe Gilgun, Vicky McClure, Andrew Shim, Rosamund Hanson, Jack O’Connell, Chanel Cresswell, Perry Benson, Michael Socha, and Frank Harper.
The film’s synopsis reads: “Shaun (Thomas Turgoose), who lost his father in the Falklands War, earns the respect of skinheads when he stands up to their teasing. He becomes part of the gang and enjoys hanging out with his new friends. Trouble starts with the return of Combo (Stephen Graham), a racist ex-convict. With the gang divided into two factions, Shaun sides with Combo and, unfortunately, finds in him a father figure.”
This Is England has an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ consensus states: “A moving coming-of-age tale that captures the despair among England’s working-class youth in the 1980s.”
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Thomas Turgoose in This Is England (Image: Optimum Releasing)
Fans of the British coming-of-age genre should look no further, as one of the classics is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Released in 2006, This Is England is a British drama film written and directed by Shane Meadows, and starring Thomas Turgoose and Stephen Graham. The plot centres on young skinheads in England in 1983, illustrating how their subculture would become influenced by far-right politics.
This Is England received critical acclaim and grossed £5 million at the box office. The success of the movie led to the creation of three sequel TV series: This Is England ’86 (2010), This Is England ’88 (2011), and This Is England ’90 (2015).
This Is England is now streaming on Amazon (Image: Optimum Releasing)
One person said: “A tough, heartbreaking coming-of-age story. A tough study on the indoctrination of youth into cult politics based on ignorance and prejudice. The kind of numb-minded hatred even more familiar in 2022. A film about a hateful, dumb and lazy white fringe who feel hard done by. A National Front who want handouts but resent them going elsewhere. And it still manages to be poignant and heartfelt. Magnificent lead performances.”
Another said: “At times it felt like I wasn’t watching a movie but rather real people. This style of storytelling won’t be for everyone, but I still enjoyed it a lot, especially for someone who grew up in the U.S. and his lived here their whole life.”
“Great cast, feels real, awesome soundtrack, you must watch the TV show from the same director, cast and continuation of the movie story. Rough, funny, stressful, a real experience,” a third added.
This Is England is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
