This Is England '88

Christmas television is something that died out by the late 80's so Shane Meadows latest installment of his tragisoap was a treat. Some of the shots in This is England are deeply moving; cumulo nimbus float past concrete maisonettes in images that at times trump George Shaw. The only problem with the whole project is that being so close to greatness all errors are blinding, each flaw sticks in the craw. Being of the age of the characters and from a Northern city similar to the films settings one developes a sense of ownership with no rights. The weaknesses in the story threads are many. What was the point of the Shaun and Smell fallouts and infidelities? perhaps these threads will play out in the promised This is England '90. These flaws are covered by acting of a quality rarely seen outside theatre. Woodys scrambled fight in the precinct with Milky had the chaos of truth. The fumbled lines, the missed punches. Lol, whose parental rape scenes from '86 had put many off the project continued in the only way she could if respect is to be paid to victims of such aberations .  Her study in extreme depression was believable to a level seldom seen. Tackling these issues using characters we have come to know and love is troubling and many turn away. This could only be permissable if balanced with a warmth and humour that may be dark but feels real.

Some critics suggested that the middle classes were only penciled in as unatainable girls or embarassing parents hence removing any escape for the main characters leaving them trapped to their world. This attitude reveals an arrogance. As if the sole aspiration of the working class is social mobility. The true fear isn't that there is no upward mobility but that it isn't of much interest or reward if attained. Such views seem to belittle what is a wonder of narrative developement. It isn't helpful or right to project such simplistic values on to these characters.  Sadly, with the lottery, prize money game shows, X Factor style talent shows it seems that escape is the only option anyone considers. With little flow of wealth it is wiser and more socially conscious to   work toward improving our own not running away.