Common People

Uplifting and heartwarming story well scripted and a wonderful way to bring the real star of the show, Tooting Bec Common, to the big screen with it's variety of people, characters, social situations, wildlife, trees and general ecology. I have some history on this common having used it as a playground and discovery centre for my children as they grew up and the blend of stories is truly representative of the pattern of life it carries every day. I loved trying to figure out the scene locations, but that's an indulgence for locals. The social documentary also stands out in it's own right. Well done and to the cast and crew for bringing such an adventurous and brave production to fruition.

Saw a screening of this charming movie at Clapham Picture House this week. A series of vignettes of the lives of Londoners unfold and intertwine. The stories are believable, funny and poignant.

Beautifully shot entirely on Tooting Common in the days when the sun still shone, it captures the great variety of South London. I live next to the common yet still saw a different aspect of it as we literally get a birds eye view of it in the opening moments. The characters are from all races, ages and backgrounds. Touching without being too sentimental it left me with both a smile and a tear.

It would be great for this movie to get a wider release and it is a testament to what can be achieved on a limited budget. The production values are high and a fine cast of actors bring the stories to life.

I believe this movie has already won awards and deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

What's surprising about this movie is how rapidly you begin to care about all the characters in this neatly woven tapestry of visitors to a London Common, viewed by us the film watchers, and by an escaped parrot!

Without giving too much of the multi-faceted plot away, the film concerns a series of regulars initially going about their daily lives, and then observes them get involved with each other with some surprising consequences...

Unrequited love, long term relationships, a few cheeky themes, a bunch of life-saving cub scouts and the life of the homeless rather all miraculously build up to a sweet and sad resolution, while looking most pretty and causing a few tears and laughs along the way.

Life affirming and recommended.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but very pleasantly surprised. Although shot entirely in our locality, it has resonance for any people, anywhere. A simple plot-line but with many twists and a few surprises. We were pleased to see the inclusiveness of different races, gender, ages,religions and social classes. There was a deft use of humour in the way all these facets of life were interwoven and it even managed to stay the right side of political correctness without being bland. Both myself and my wife were very impressed by how it all came together it all came together towards the end, and not unemotional either!! Well done - a great film on a small budget.

A reminder that you don't need big budgets, special effects and Oscars to have a truly fabulous film.

Funny, silly, and touching in equal measure this is one of those films where you just don't know why you like it, but you do.

The characters are plausible and likable, the story lines veer from the ridiculous to the heart wrenchingly plausible and the simplicity allows the focus to remain on the hub of the plot, the inter relationship of normal people, warts and all. It isn't always pretty, it isn't always kind but it is unavoidably real. Its life.

A film that you leave feeling content and happy, proud to be not just a Tootonian, not just a Londoner, but a human being.

A triumph.