Starred Up Review.

Cast: Jack O’Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend.

Directed By: David Mackenzie.

Written By: Jonathan Asser.

Starred Up (2014) is a prison drama film about Eric Love who is transferred to an adult prison and is a very violent and aggressive character. They say he has met his match when he arrives and it turns out one of the inmates is his father. It follows his violent attacks and classes he starts with voluntary therapist Oliver Baumer who is determined to help him calm down.

Now this film, I wish I could describe in one word but that is impossible, this movie is a revolution in British cinema, real, honest and gritty. The only way I can describe it without listing every word that means bloody brilliant is; it’s the best prison film since McVicar (1980). This movie hides nothing and is honest, what we see happens every day, my favourite kind of film and the films I want to write are just like this; it shows you a dark reality that most people refuse to see, refuse to acknowledge and that is beautiful.

This film would not be what is, if it wasn’t for the award worthy acting by Jack O’Connell (Skins), Ben Mendelsohn (Killing Them Softly) and Rupert Friend (The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas), you believe these guys completely, you love and hate them, you route for them, you want to jump in the screen and hug them telling them it’s all okay and slap them telling them to snap out of it. O’Connell’s portrayal of Eric feels so right, I can’t help but wonder about Jack’s past, he plays it so true, true to the extent where he is rather that good of an actor or has lived Eric’s life for real. Ben Mendelsohn is an actor you always expect the best from due to other great roles and let me tell you he did not disappoint! Mendelsohn’s portrayal fills you with fear and love, this father figure is phenomenally portrayed. Rupert Friend is our little hero of the movie, holding the only honest and sweet heart in the hell that is the prison, a fantastic light.

The story line aside, I will definitely be using this movie for future research regarding filming and editing, everything was clear and beautifully shown through the camera lens. The chilling thing about this movie, apart from the realism and the violence, is that throughout the movie no score is played, no soundtrack and yet you feel all the emotional you need because it’s so powerful on it’s own.

Yes, this has been one of those reviews where I have constantly praised this movie but you’ll only understand it if you see it and I suggest seeing it! This movie is not afraid, it’s strong, it is the definition of both powerful and broken, a beautiful paradox. Although this film is epic I have seen no real publicity for it and I am terrified it will be lost in the shadows, saying that it will probably become a cult film. However, it deserves more than that, as a British nation we needed this movie, it’s raw and it’s just simply god damn brilliant.

Show you’re not afraid and go see Starred Up in your local cinema now before it’s too late!

VF.