Spike Island

I was a teenager in 1990 when this film was set and The Stone Roses formed a backdrop to my angsty early 90s teenage years. The use of music, clothing, hairstyles etc. in this film is very evocative and true to the era and positively influenced my score above what it probably really deserves.

The story itself doesn't really know what it wants to be. Most of the film is light comedy romp, a fun celebration of youth, but after coming to a seemingly ecstatic climax, we get an unexpectedly harsh comedown of an ending. Whilst this improves the film overall, a bit too much drama is injected in too short a time which jars with the tone and pace of rest of the film.

As a British person, I felt a personal connection to this film - trust me, it got everything spot on! I liked this film a lot - it was your typical film bout a group of friends going on an adventure (Think Stand By Me if the characters were older and a lot more obsessed with girls and pop rock bands). It was fun, there were lot of laughs. But it was also more than that. It dealt with a lot of issues, subtly at least. The emphasis was on the music, but the underlying angst was there. I can't exactly put my finger on why I enjoyed this movie so much, but there it is: I liked it. Definitely worth a watch, and, of course, a listen to that soundtrack.

Drama, music. Fate itself prompted me to watch this movie, I was especially interested in the reviews - only three in Russian (two in Kinopoisk, one in Yandex), on IMDb - nineteen from the audience and thirty-one from critics. And I thought - why not look, the more Emilia Clarke starred here. I tried it - and did not at all regret the time spent. Until now, I am moving away from the pleasant impression that this picture had on me, but for now let me tell you my brief opinion - British cinema about musicians of the nineties. As in any picture, there are pluses that were pleasant, and cons that were a little annoying when viewing. Therefore, I intend to dwell on them in more detail and convey to you those thoughts and what I experienced. The preface turned out to be very short this time, so pour a cup of tea, sit back - go! So, the pros: 1. Musical atmosphere - one of the reasons for my interest in this picture was that I almost never watched pictures about musicians, and I even successfully missed the recent "Bohemian Raspoda", which, by the way, I do not regret, so viewing this picture became for me new experience in the movie - and it was great! The picture about the musicians of the early nineties is saturated with music a little more than completely. The film contains songs by the mega-popular (at that time) British band "The Stone Roses", the concert of which our heroes rush to the island of Spike Island. I liked the music, and all the musicians of The Stone Roses, and the characters of the picture, and the usual clockwork tracks. I conclude that I like paintings of a similar genre, and I will continue to watch them. If you can recommend something like that - welcome in the comments. 2. Youth style - the picture was created for youth, with its eternal problems of finding oneself, impudent and defiant behavior, problems in the family, misunderstanding, ambitions, naive dreams, craving for the forbidden. The target audience will definitely like the picture, as for the rest - is debatable. Personally, I haven't seen such youth films for a long time, the last thing I remember is the "Road Trip"of 2000, but now I won't watch this movie. 3. History - the picture tells us about a group of musician friends called "Shadow Caster", whose idols are "The Stone Roses". The guys commit bold acts and dream of getting to the concert of their idols in Spike Island, but as always, various difficulties arise. And if at first, the story seemed boring to me, where you shouldn't wait for anything interesting, then in the middle I noticed that I was starting to closely monitor what was happening, and closer to the final it was impossible to tear me from the screen. And the finale - so it turned out to be vital, as if someone did not relate to it. Well, the romantic line harmoniously screwed. This is not the best story told, but I liked it! 4. Dramatic moments - drama was added to the picture, and very strong, which will definitely cause an emotional response from the viewer. Actors at these moments really tried. There's nothing to complain about. And for those particularly impressionable, these moments can survive a tear, or even more than one! So cons: 1. Drugs, foul language and so on - since the picture is youth, then the language of communication among the heroes is the same. Here and there, and sometimes through the word slanderous words slip. Heroes use drugs, all of this is here, and not everyone can like it. Yes, this is due to the context, but when viewing the amount of it all was very annoying. And yet - the creators of the picture were clearly inspired by the works of Guy Ritchie, because the style, dynamic installation and some moments damn much resemble his early paintings. This is not a minus, but rather an emphasis on fact. Is it bad - no! Did it interfere with perception? A little about the main characters: 1. Tits performed by Elliott Tittensor is the charismatic leader of Shadow Caster, a young man at a crossroads whose dream inspires others. A born leader with a head on his shoulders. The song in his performance is a hymn to the generation of the nineties, and how many feelings! And what simple, but at the same time strong words! You have to listen to it yourself to feel it! Elliot did a great job with this role. He didn't even play - he lived as his hero! Well done! 2. Dodge performed by Nico Mirallegro - the most responsible member of "Shadow Caster" and a certain antithesis of Tits - a little reserved, timid, which, nevertheless, is the mainstay of the group and a talented musician. Those tests through which the Dodge passes are well known to me. We, creative people, sometimes need strong trials, because the emotions that they awaken can inspire us to create something new, extremely strong, which will go through the most callous holes and get into the heart. Niko is great! 3. Sally performed by Emilia Clark - a classmate of the band members, a young, romantic girl who loves music. Emilia, besides all the reasons, you were the one for which I looked at this picture, I decided to appreciate the acting. My findings are Amy! You know how to play when you want! Your pretty and romantic Sally turned out as it should. The image is classic and always working. I love your heroine Kate from "Last Christmas", and your Louise from "Me Before You", and your Sally from this picture - was a great addition to your piggy bank! Bravo! Good girl! Well done! Well, the conclusions that the picture brings are very instructive and truthful, although we have already seen it thousands and thousands of times, and we will see more than once, as long as there is a movie in the world! As a result, we have a drama about young, daring and talented musicians, whom fate leads to a mega-cool event, with excellent and atmospheric music, excellent acting, sunny Emilia Clark and with tearful dramatic moments. My rating is 7 out of 10 and my recommendation for viewing!

Spike Island is the feel-good movie for the summer. Ideal nostalgic fun for anyone really, but especially those who love The Stone Roses, or anyone who loves the 90's, or anyone who used to be in a local rock band or is still in one.

The main protagonists of the story are five lads - Tits, Dodge, Little Gaz, Zippy and Penfold - who have formed a band; Shadowcaster. They have a big love for The Stone Roses and will do literally anything to get into the spectacular Spike Island gig, without actually having tickets to get in.

It's a very entertaining film with a story that is by turns funny, moving and heartwarming. At times it's a bit like Mission Impossible meets Quadrophenia, with a bit of Spinal Tap comedy thrown in; as the boys get more and more devious in their efforts to get into the high-security gig.

There's love, sex, violence, elation and sorrow; great acting, an uplifting summery atmosphere and an awesome musical score. At the centre of it all it's a very human, real story. I absolutely love this film.

A film about being young, carefree and the most important thing in your life being your favourite band. A great summer film with an amazing sound track (unless you don't like the Stone Roses).