Urchin

This is the first film that I'd been in and heard about four people exclaim "F**k" when the first of the credits appeared on the black screen.

The mix of the effects of addiction and being stuck in a loop were somewhat depressing.

But, the story of Mike's life probably echoes real life for many people living with the same experiences.

The most moving scene for me was the restorative justice meeting when the whole of Mike's life appears on his face for a couple of seconds and you almost feel everything that he's been through.

Some of the metaphorical scenes seem a little out there so Im looking forward to hearing some suggestions from Messrs Kermode and Mayo.

A film that documents the current times but not an uplifting watch.

I resisted seeing this film as I wasnt in a place where I could cope with anything too depressing. But after listening to a few podcasts I changed my mind.

Despite dealing with current issues that are genuinely upsetting in the UK today I found this utterley engrossing and I was so glad it wasnt formulaic.

All the cast were amazing and felt like real people...not Actooorey!

Frank Dillane is mesmeric playing a multi dimensional character making choices that you may not understand or approve of but are true to his character.

A very very good film that will have you thinking and discussing afterwards.

Actor Harris Dickinson's 2025 directorial debut (which he also wrote) is a social drama which features Frank Dillane as Mike, a young addict living on the streets who after a mugging incident and prison fails to adjust to rehab and employment, and ends up going down the pan. Your not really sure what the point of this perhaps vaguely symbolic drama is, and whether it's helpful in any way. The first half is stronger and more focused than the more rambling second half. But even the first half has it's issues, being a not entirely convincing portrait of a rather middle class seeming 'Homeless Rough Sleeper Victim', who is pictured in a rather negative light. The socio-economic crimes committed by society against the deprived and desperate by the society they live in are not tackled, and indeed the film sometimes seems a little like victim blaming. Is anything ever really a homeless person's fault Harris? I speak from a lot of experience.

Frank Dillane's raw performance gives this film a punch of realness, as if you're truly watching someone's life unfold before you. Mike's reactions towards his own ups and downs make you simultaneously sympathetic and frustrated towards him.

On that note, the same thing can be said for Harris Dickinson's direction. Perhaps this being his debut film as a director, he was overjoyed to incorporate a lot of elements into this; yet personally, when the ending credits rolled, I didn't feel the coherence as there's always some kind of duality in the presentation of this film. Is this a surrealist or a slice-of-life? Did Dickinson want his film to be a social commentary on how the government fails society, particularly the vulnerable group, by not giving them the full protection and support system that is essential to the rehabilitation process, or did he want to say that a piece of trash will always be a piece of trash?

The overall tone is just uneven for me. Nevertheless, I'll surely tune in to whatever Harris Dickinson cooks in the future.

Last nights Cineworld secret screening was "Urchin", Harris Dickinson's debut as feature writer and director. Though this particularly reveal didn't go down well, I think that I appreciated the film more than anyone else in there.

Homeless, and addicted to substance abuse, Michael (Frank Dillane) gets a chance to get his life back together when he's clean and sober, following a prison sentence for aggravated burglary. Living in a hostel and with a job in a hotel kitchen, he seems to be doing well. That is until a restorative justice meeting with the victim of his assault causes him to begin to spiral.

So, the screening itself was beset by walkouts and the general chatter I overheard at the conclusion, was that the audience that remained regretted their decision. Truth be told, "Urchin" is quite a demanding film to present to a general, unprepared audience. It's a tough watch, at times, and whilst Michael is often charming, he's damaged and the arc of the story clues you to the fact his collapse is coming. Harder though for the general audience (and I'm trying not to sound patronising here) is that there is certain an "art-house" feel to the film. Mike mental health issues are, in my interpretation, portrayed by a journey down the plug hole to a subatomic world and then a detour to a beautiful but stark cave structure, before snapping back to the story. His demons are manifested in an older woman, who stares placidly at him. There's maybe a certain level of cinema literacy to 'read' the film that's required. The ending in particularly seemed to cause confusion - though I thought it was pretty apparent what the film was saying had happened.

Whilst I wouldn't say that I "enjoyed" it either, it's not the sort of film, nor that I'll be rushing for a second viewing anytime soon. The performances across the cast are excellent, particularly from Dillane, and I think that Dickinson evidently is as talented behind the camera, as he is in front of it.