This Is England '86

[Paul]

Paul nails it again! Completely agree that it's fantastic to see great telly on our screens. C4 need a rep to for allowing it: Great telly (like the Wire, Sopranos etc). needs to be focussed yet unfettered by 'production values' to stand out. So much good stuff gets rinsed by producers wanting to produce 'drama-by-numbers' it's great to see something that has the courage of its convictions.

 

The last episode was stunning in every way. Rarely have I seen TV convey such raw beauty so simply, and terror so starkly. Meadows's directing was astonishing - who'd have thought watching Smell and Shaun having a knee-trembler in a pub toilet would be like watching fucking ballet?

 

You see, I completely forgot about that amidst the dramatic peaks on show elsewhere in the finale, but you're right - it was fucking boss; ditto the Woody & Milk in bed scene. And the dramatic contrast between the spur of the moment wedding arrangements and Lol's ordeal just took everything up a notch. It wasn't just a contrast in moods, it was a juxtaposition - and effortlessly handled. The more I think about it, the higher in my estimations Shane Meadows rises. Seriously, I think this was a work of genius.

[Salou]

You see, I completely forgot about that amidst the dramatic peaks on show elsewhere in the finale, but you're right - it was fucking boss; ditto the Woody & Milk in bed scene. And the dramatic contrast between the spur of the moment wedding arrangements and Lol's ordeal just took everything up a notch. It wasn't just a contrast in moods, it was a juxtaposition - and effortlessly handled. The more I think about it, the higher in my estimations Shane Meadows rises. Seriously, I think this was a work of genius.

 

Genius does get used a lot but for this piece of work I think Meadows can easily be called that. Your review above spot on as usual and like you say the more and more I think about the better it becomes.

[The Golden Eel]

I am of the opinion that someone else will do Mick and that Combo will take the blame or something like that. Probably Lol...

 

I was right, I was right, I was right, I was right, look at me!

[cochcaer]

The more I think about it, the higher in my estimations Shane Meadows rises. Seriously, I think this was a work of genius.

 

By moving into tv he's probably comparable to Alan Clarke (Scum, The Firm, Made in Britain, Elephant etc) and the social realist tv drama of the past. It would be great if he could juggle both film and television but I'd imagine he's a few films in the pipeline (think his next is a horror).

[Mendoza]

One of the finest pieces of television drama i've seen in a long time. The second two episodes in particular are utterly brilliant, no surprise theyre the ones that Meadows directed himself.

[Elite]

Immense drama, British TV has been scarcely creating shows of an high standard. This Is England is brilliant however and I hope they follow it up with 90'.

[Redder Lurtz]

Katherine Dow Blyton (Chrissie, Lol's mum) "likes" my facebook status tonight. True dat. Ask Melons or Ski.

 

Poxy celebs, stalking me. And that.

[Carradona]

Tell her I "like" her daughter's arse.

[Redder Lurtz]

Tell her I "like" her daughter's arse.

 

I'm guessing you'd like another 'daughter' of hers too Cain. She was Gemma Atkinson's mum in Hollyoaks. Few years ago, like.

[Remmie]

Well it just took me the 10 years but finally got round to watching this, absolutely brilliant stuff. Harrowing and touching with lots of humour

[Dr Nowt]

Been meaning to rewatch this for ages.

 

A decade old though. That’s mental, feels like it was only a few years ago.

[Elite]

4 minutes ago, Dr Nowt said:

Been meaning to rewatch this for ages.

 

A decade old though. That’s mental, feels like it was only a few years ago.

Due another series.

[Dr Nowt]

1 hour ago, Elite said:

Due another series.

Be great if he did. I think he might feel the way it was left with Combo is more powerful hanging as it is than by revisiting it though. 

[Elite]

Just now, Dr Nowt said:

Be great if he did. I think he might feel the way it was left with Combo is more powerful hanging as it is than by revisiting it though. 

Yeah, really good ending.

 

Still want more though.

[Bjornebye]

Unbelievable ending that. Stephen Graham is some actor. 

[Remmie]

I looked up Vicky McClure who plays Lol as she looks familiar though it turns out she's not been in anything else that I've seen (not seen Line of Duty). Anyway, turns out she couldn't land an acting job for 4 years between Romeo Brass and This is England. Astonishing.

[Elite]

3 hours ago, Remmie said:

I looked up Vicky McClure who plays Lol as she looks familiar though it turns out she's not been in anything else that I've seen (not seen Line of Duty). Anyway, turns out she couldn't land an acting job for 4 years between Romeo Brass and This is England. Astonishing.

She has a rare version of tourettes which causes her to say 'mate' constantly. She's gone on to have a great career despite this disability. Very inspirational.

[Mook]

Where can you watch these, More 4?

[Elite]

Just now, Mook said:

Where can you watch these, More 4?

Yeah it's on that I think. Have you never seen it?

[Remmie]

8 minutes ago, Mook said:

Where can you watch these, More 4?

Yeah, I thought it was called all 4 but whatever the on demand for channel 4 is.

[Elite]

4OD

[Mook]

35 minutes ago, Elite said:

Yeah it's on that I think. Have you never seen it?

Cheers. Aye, I've seen them all but a rewatch could be in order.

[Elite]

1 minute ago, Mook said:

Cheers. Aye, I've seen them all but a rewatch could be in order.

I'm due one as well. Its brilliant but one of the grimmest things I've watched.

[Remmie]

I was a pussy and fast forwarded through most of the rape scene. The inevitability of it was one of the brutal elements.

[Mook]

9 minutes ago, Remmie said:

I was a pussy and fast forwarded through most of the rape scene. The inevitability of it was one of the brutal elements.

Did you catch what minute it started at, I could do with smashing one off?