Thursday, September 29, 2016

Music is the vehicle for emotions, throughout the years films keep telling stories about rock bands, the people behind those bands, the music fans and people who just admire music in general and live their live thru music. In particular when you see a film that takes place in the late 70’s and 80’s about music, the story center in working classes who are trying to achieve something greater, they live in rough neighbor and the political environment is total anarchy.

In the film “London Town” director Derrick Borte tales the story of Shay (Daniel Huttlestone) a kid who is looking for his way in the early stages of puberty. He is been raised with his sister by his dad Nick (Doughy Scott) who is a cab driver by night and manage a piano store by day. Shay’s mother Sandrine (Natascha McElhnorne) is stranded in London living in a sort of hippie community. Shay becomes interested The Clash thanks to a instant connection with a girl on the train Vivian (Neil Williams) who encourage him to go with her in a live show which is filled with aggressive and violent youngster who just want to change everything in the world. This how the world was during the times of the clash.

Vivian and Shay adventures in the city guide them to meet Joe Strummer (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) lead of the band. During the first half and hour of the film you see how Shay’s character evolve from a innocent child to a true punk youngster. He experience the life in the city of London, but he also forced him to manage his house and his little sister due Shay's dad work accident.

“London Town” is a interesting film that use the point of view of a kid to cover a chapter in the life of the band The Clash, where the main protagonist is Shay, the music delivers and help you experience the road evolving as a kid to a teenager. This film present similarities with “Sing Street”, “Almost Famous” which also have stories concentrate in music and kids growing thru music and their experiences.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers shines as Joe Strummer, the kids are also great. My biggest problem is the lack of connection between Nick (Doughy Scott) and their kids, you can see how from act 1, 2, 3 the relationship evolve perhaps by the director influence or the development of the actual production.

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