Urban Hymn

At the time of London riots in 2011, Jamie (Letita Wright), a misfit teenager living in a care home, is isolating with her equally wayward friend, Leanne (Isabella Laughland). They live in a children's home, but when an idealistic care worker (Shirley Henderson) grieving her own loss recognises a singing talent in Jamie, she also realises that she must separate her from Leanne in order for her to develop.

A drama that does a decent and sincere job in highlighting and recognising the problems of poverty and depravation, but alac does not run with this thread enough, instead drawing on sentimentality and satisfying itself with being a standard story without developing the social aspect.

Urban Hymn, a new film by Michael Caton-Jones, explores depths in London-based youth delinquents that are seldom discussed. Following Jamie, a troubled teenager, she has multiple run ins with the law. She bunks with other troubled kids and feels the need to cause trouble and harm for no true cause other than to live for the moment. But she meets Kate, a social worker, who challenges Jamie to transform herself and abandon her abrasive attitude and make something of herself. This is not a clean act as temptations in the form of possessive friend, Leanne, keeps Jamie in check and fears for being abandoned. Regardless, Kate is determined to show Jamie that she has true potential that can really take her to better places. It's a feel good movie that focuses on character and amazingly, these actors keep the momentum moving and the film more engrossing. It's well paced and sensitively directed. The music is enlightening and pivotal to the story. Wonderfully true to life, film lovers will discover that Urban Hymn really gives character study a good name!

What a breathtaking film! Urban Hymn is a powerful and heart-wrenching story of an inner-city teenager named Jamie Harrison, broken from her harrowing journey thus far. Jamie discovers her purpose in life through the grace and generosity of social worker Kate Linton, as she leads Jamie toward the power of music. Jamie then reveals to have a stunning voice that astonishes all who have only known her for pillaging and being an overall miscreant. Her troubled past life seems to get in the way of her newfound hope for a better life for herself, namely her degenerate best friend Leanne whose selfish attempts to keep Jamie from following her dream results in a shocking twist at the end of the film. From a cinematographic standpoint, the aesthetic of the multiple shots of Kate running through the park in London on a cloudy day matches the tone of film so perfectly. I think the thing that really makes this film stand out is its actors' incredible performances. They are so transparent and passionate; the story itself is such a classic turnaround coming of age story, but it is so beautifully and organically illustrated through these unique characters. This thrilling and complex film is definitely a must-see!

Letitia Wright is going to be a big star. It's easy to see why her lead acting debut in Urban Hymn got her the role in Black Panther. She is so good in this film as are the other two female leads, Shirley Henderson and Isabella Laughland. Powerful, emotional viewing. 8 out of 10 for me.

Urban Hymn boasts a story line booming with talented vocals, but a screenplay with the delicacy of a harp. Indeed, there are clearly some talented writers behind the scenes, drumming a surprisingly human beat to which the actors move. The end result is a polished picture, with themes and moments that linger with the viewer weeks after the screen goes black. We follow Jamie Harrison in this plot, a troubled teen who has lost her way to the temptations of the inner city. By her side is a questionable friend, Leanne Dixon, who stands as a reasonably dedicated presence before her unpredictable behavior proves detrimental. Things start to look up for Jamie when Kate Linton (a tough as nails, yet understanding social worker) enters the picture, trying to steer her path in a more productive direction through music. Rich in both heart and heartbreak, Urban Hymn is the rare film that manages to build and break us in ways that don't feel canned or cliché. It is truly demonstrative of talented writing at play, coupled with a visual excellence matched only by big- budget Oscar-bait films. I recommend it highly, as it beyond impressed this jaded moviegoer's heart. Keep your ears out for this one; you won't be disappointed with what you hear.