The Modern Way

While I definitely am more a rocker than a mod and certainly no skinhead this pro-mod piece was somewhat entertaining. I love movies that take place in 80s Britain so it had that going for it right from the start. The acting was fine and the feel of the 80s was present. Admittedly I lived the 80s in America with the exception of two wonderful weeks in England in March of 1983. But I know the 80s when I see it. I was 13 in 1980 and 22 in 1989 so I grew up in them. The one drawback to this movie was that the grittiness that it promised had an almost made-for-TV shine to it. The grit was more a sheen and the nifty little happy ending was the clincher. All in all it was a diversion that could've been better but wasn't terrible.

Not a bad setup but a common plot without explanation of the motives behind behavior, e.g., why one character sold drugs, why the dealer (the one excellent performance) had the problem with getting his money on time, why the hero had a hero complex, why he had the distractingly weird fake hair that makes it hard to take him seriously... so much left out from the character development, and none of them is likeable. I couldn't really appreciate the nonsensical divide between the "Mods" and Rockers either... as if any one of them was modern (nah not really), or as if that's some kind of fixed rule everyone there knows. Not much to redeem this one: A producer wanted to play the hero so he made a low budget action flick pretending to have some kind of insight but struggling to create a story with genuine conflict or motive.

The opening was right to the point, with what this film would be about. Leaving you knowing right from the get go, what the plot/story was going to be about. Although I'm sure editing cut out some Dialogue, I felt that early on some of the actors lacked real human emotion. The 1st big problem playing out with the added loss a family airlume would be a lot more scary and upsetting.

So the plan for what was needed to be done, was thought of so naturally quick. Which then gave a clear heading of the journey ahead As this was going to be our heading it could of done with more dialogue and character conflict. So it lead me to be uninterested in the story of Frankie, Leon and Millie.

HOWEVER !

As Danni's entered and we got to find out who she was and her part in all this was unfolding I found myself quickly wanting this to be the main story, the emotion that you feel for her painful life, and the middle ground that she walks inbetween the Mods and skinheads, with the added issues at home. Well makes me very intrigued and genuinely attached to see this character and those she's involved with story's play out.

The only early on issue with this movie is that it starts with the 3 least interesting main characters, so the excitement and connection to this movie isn't really there. Untill Danni arrives and I see her character development happen with the added entrance Terry, I'm getting pumped for the inevitable fights backing my early favourite characters.

As the film goes on I still found myself wanting certain parts to be done with, so I can get back to Danni, Terry & Mason story. However with the progression of the story it brings me intrigued with Frankie, Leon and Millie not with themselves, but how Frankies family airlume, and how it will connect everyone.

Making this object more interesting than some characters. Eagerly trying to anticipate when and how this connection is made.

The Sound strack is brilliant. However during certain scenes (let's say real talk time/ heart to hearts) i always thought that just the sound of the Conversations, with a little bit of background noise makes it that much real. Leaving room to make me feel like I'm right there with them in those moments.

Other small tangible items make little connection, which then leads me to breaks out of interest of what's currently going on. Key example is 'Danni is thinking of new hobbies to do during a real heart to heart coversation. As Danni is mentioning that she is interested in music, and would like to learn how to play the guitar. I have no real back knowledge of her brother, how he also liked music and played the guitar.

So this big Key moment in Danni's character development falls short of making a connection.

The end of the film had me fully focused, and glued to my seat to see how everything goes down. The bulid up, the locations, the music had me in a state of this is now a must watch, and I had to know how this would all play out.

When wrapping up the final conclusion which takes part some time after the big events. I still didn't really care what happened to Frankie, Leon and Millie. But what I cared and had to know about, was how two other character endings. So much so that I would definitely want to see a Mordern way 2. Focused on those two with maybe cameo appearances of the other three.

Overall I very much enjoyed The Mordern way. With 100s of world ending movies, CGI effects, I loved how this real life down to earth, normal people problems movie was a fresh yet welcoming reminder that nothing beats a pain easy watch film with good characters you can truly connect with.

Stand out performances from Grace Long ( Danni ) Who really hit this character out of the park. Making me want to be part of the film just to help her through her struggles, then cheer for her once she had.

Jake Henderson ( Terry Harrison ) Great side of aggression balanced with gentle heart character. When Terry got mad I would be encouraging him to let loose as if I was right beside him Jack Parr ( Mason ) A villain is only a true villain when The audience can't wait for you to get your comeuppance, and wow ! Jack Parr played Mason as well as Jack Gleason played King Joffrey. I couldn't wait for karma to come back around.

The way certain characters developed had me genuinely hooked on wanting to know more about them. Which made me think at the end of the movie I would of loved a longer run time to get this character knowledge.

The clever use of the British history was n how Mod life style has become a bench mark in todays Society.

Dress smart, stay fresh, look after yourself and enjoy life. Is very much one of the main pillards of the current times we live in.

Story telling = 7/10 Character development = 8/10 Plots = 7/10 Soundtrack 9/10 Acting 6/10 Scenery and outfits 10/10 Camera angles 7/10 Dialogue 7/10 Movie lore 5/10 Run time 6/7

Overall I would rate this movie 7/10.

Shocking acting. Not an ounce of charisma or chemistry between the cast. It reminded me of early Grange Hill acting. Wooden at best.

The fake hair on the 'hero'... Blimey!

The one star I've given is obviously the lowest possible, but I would say it deserves that one star because we had a jolly good laugh every time the characters spoke.

The villain was actually very good, but everyone around him dragged him down.

That was s**t.

Unconvincing characters and honestly the worst acting I've ever seen. The one star is generous to be honest.

It was described as 'a gritty British drama'. Gritty!? When you've got 'this is England' to compare the film to its laughable! Laughed through the whole thing. I feel embarrassed for the makers of the film and everyone involved. I've watched episodes of Neighbours that were more gritty than this film.

I guess in a way the director's a genius because it really was spectacularly s**t.