I Used to Be Famous

This was a good film, with some nice moments which made you feel good.

I gave it 7 because every film/TV show at the moment is either just depressing/graphic or has to have an ironic bitter sweet ending for the sake of being "edgy" or "ground breaking".

This film was different because it dropped the need to avoid any cliche's and instead steer into them and the result is a film you can sit and watch, while laughing at a few digs at 90's boy band groups, before walking away feeling a little happier as a result.

Netflix produced another gem here and I applaud them for using the UK as the backdrop of this story, In particular London's vibrant music culture which is something that is often overlooked.

A down on his luck former boy band singer is struggling to get even a pub gig or actually finish a song he's writing until when busking one day he his joined by an autistic drummer and they feel an affinity for each other. You might think at this point that it's going to be another twee and condascending film about people wth special needs but the story has depth and deals with the problems both the lead characters face with realism and a believable story structure. I don't want to put any spoilers in so it's difficult to explain the twists in the film without giving too much away. Suffice to say it is a heartwarming film and well worth a watch. The character of Stevie is played by Leo Long who, in real life is a neurodiverse person.

What is there not to like about this film? It simply touches one's heart strings with its simplicity and honesty.

Vince and Stevie are an uncommon pair but they click igniting a poignant, memorable story.

One doesn't need to watch spectacularly budgeted film productions to come up with a work of art as this one.

Kudos to Leo Long who, despite his condition (he being neurodiverse), succeeds in coming up with an adorable performance. I've watched actors effectively play roles with mental issues and Leo Long as Stevie doesn't disappoint in this one. Ed Skrein's performance as the washed-up musician is subdued and controlled reflecting the inner tension that he must contend with although he doesn't always succeed as he explodes in one scene.

This is a story of unlikely friendship between two individuals fighting their own issues who, in the end, help each other out to become better persons.

Watch it now than later.

Nicely acted with solid, if not exceptional, performances all round, in essence this is a simple, human story of friendship, hope and redemption set in and around the wonderfully diverse Peckham, South London. Focusing on the relationship between an ex boy band musician trying to reignite the past and an autistic boy drummer drifting into adulthood, there is a lot of tugging at the heart strings here and it only just about manages to stay on the right side of overdoing the sentimentality. Having said all that, what the story may lack in subtlety and poise, it more than compensates with heart and soul. Rather good.

It's been done before but not exactly this way. Still it's a very good drama/comedy, the actors -every single one of them down to the smallest parts- are amazing.

Definitely worth watching, you might have wet eyes when Vince watches the tapes of his late brother, you will definitely laugh when he goes door to door to get a gig and meets the strong characters of the Peckham local scene.

Also quite the eclectic casting with the gorgeous Eleanor Matssura (The Walking Dead), and a strong presence from Kurt Egyiawan and his voice that reminds me of Don Cheadle.

A solid 7, and I'm a mean rater...