Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Jonathan Asser, who based the screenplay on his own experiences as a voluntary therapist at HM Wandsworth. This prison drama is everything I love about British film. Gritty and thought provoking from the outset. We watch as a troubled and explosively violent teenager is transferred to adult prison where he finally meets his match. His match being his estranged father, this simple plot is all we need to set the wheels in motion. Starring Jack O'Connell as Eric who is 'starred up' (moving to adult prison as a minor 2 years early due to his violent record) this young actor has burst on to the scene since I watched him in skins. He has been a Athenian in the new 300 and next up is starring in epic true story Unbroken. He plays this role to perfection and like a seasoned pro. The first 20 minutes sum up his abilities as he is transferred in to the prison and forced to go through all the rituals that come along with this, he really sets the tone without uttering a word. Along side O'Connell is a great supporting cast including. Rupert friend the therapist who is trying to rehabilitate, Ben Mendelsohn as Eric's father (both are instrumental to the main character). Also worth a mention is Sam Spruell as Governor Hayes, the anger you feel towards him, as a viewer at certain points in this film is palpable. A brutal, unflinching expose of a world most of us probably don't want to imagine. Let alone go through, I really enjoyed this film. If you haven't already partaken in this prison masterpiece (high praise I know) watch it asap.
I give Starred up 9 out of 10.
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