Rent Neds (2010)

Gritty, but a must watch. - Neds review by LT

An enjoyable but dark film, which faithfully recreates a dark period in the history of Glasgow, when knife crime and gang culture were far more prevalent than they are today. Peter Mullan does an excellent job as both the director and in the role as an abusive father in the movie itself.

It can be an uncomfortable watch at times but it is definitely worth the ask.

Powerful film that will leave you feeling seriously uncomfortable - Neds review by RP

Having recently seen Peter Mullan as the leading actor in 'Tyrannosaur' I sought out his other films, and came across 'Neds' which he both directed and takes a role as the drunken, abusive father. 'Neds', like so many others, is a gritty coming-of-age / rites of passage film of the social realist school, set on a council estate. But there similarities end, because this is *really* gritty, not some namby pamby cleaned up Technicolor version like for example 'Goodbye Charlie Bright'. Set in 1970s Glasgow, the accents so thick that I needed to use the subtitles, and with constant f-ing and blinding, this is a tale of adolescent gang culture which feels so close to life. It tells the tale of John McGill (very well played by newcomer Conor McCarron) who comes from an unpromising home background but is top of his class at primary school and who then goes on to secondary school where he is seen as a swot and bullied - but over the summer hols drops out and becomes a violent, knife wielding gang member. Violent, filled with rage and revenge, this film needs to be experienced rather than just reading this review. While it has weaknesses (does someone turn from a swot to a violent delinquent in six weeks? religious hallucination after glue sniffing?) this is a strong, powerful film that will leave you feeling seriously uncomfortable. Superb stuff - 5/5 stars.

Glasgow Kiss - Neds review by Steve

Unblinking look at violent teenage gangs, loosely based on writer-director Peter Mullan's own experiences growing up on a Glasgow council estate in the early '70s. And he establishes himself as the successor to Ken Loach in the dynasty of British social realism.

His miracle is to make this brutally authentic without being so sickening it's impossible to watch. Well, there is aggro, but no gore. There is plenty of funny-but-grim humour. And there is some consideration of why all this is happening, but without the editorials.

And this is also made watchable by a mesmerising performance by newcomer Conor McCarron as the schoolkid who suddenly grows big and goes wild inside a few weeks one summer and traumatises everyone around him. Including his scary/abusive/alcoholic dad, played by the director.  

You can actually sense the siren of migraine-inducing white noise going off inside the boy's head. This is a candidate for the most convincing teenage delinquent picture ever made. And plenty have tried. Though it's too harrowing for entertainment and good luck with the accents.

*includes constant swearing.