A Room for Romeo Brass

New Zealand released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages:o English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: A group of outsiders and misfits find each other -- with mixed results -- in this comic drama. Romeo (Andrew Shim) and Gavin (Ben Marshall) are neighbors in a working-class neighborhood in Nottingham. Romeo is a short, stocky, but tough black kid who's about 13; he lives with his no-nonsense mother Carol (Ladene Hall) and older sister Ladine (Vicky McClure) after the departure of abusive husband and father Joe (Frank Harper). Gavin is the same age, but he is taller, thinner, and walks with a bit of a limp; he's an only child who lives with his overprotective mom (Julia Ford) and weak-willed father (James Higgins). The boys make friends with a strange local character named Morell (Paddy Considine), who helps them in a fight with other boys and has an eye for Ladine. After Gavin plays a prank on Morell, he flies into a rage and cuts all ties with Gavin. When Romeo, however, finds that Morell has nowhere to stay, he offers him a room in his house, partly for friendship and partly in hopes it will keep his father away. The more Romeo hangs out with Morell, the less he sees his old friend Gavin (who is recuperating from surgery on his leg), but when Ladine loses interest in Morell, he becomes increasingly unstable until finally he finally erupts in violence. Bob Hoskins makes a cameo appearance as Gavin's tutor, while director Shane Meadows plays a fish and chips salesman.Special Features:o Interactive Menuo Scene Access Product Description

Friends don't let friends get their heads beat in.

Two friends, Romeo and Gavin, are saved from a one-sided fight by an odd local named Morell. Because of this act, the two young men befriend the older fellow, but soon things sour when Morell creepily begins asking out Romeo's older sister, Ladine. Intensifying the situation is Gavin, who plays a joke on Morell in an attempt to ridicule him in from of Ladine. This is the breaking point for Morell, who decides to attack Romeo's family in a fit of rage.

A solid, underground piece of cinema that I recommend to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories. It combines humor and drama in a very entertaining way that makes for a craving the revisit it for another viewing.

3.5 out of 5

June 18, 2008

Exemplary movie

If audience has watched "Sweet Sixteen" by Ken Loach, then you would have an idea of what this movie is all about. It revolves around two young best friends who live next door to one another in those typical English estate housing. One is black and the other one is white. The black boy is brought up by a single mother and he lives with her sister. The white boy is the only child in the family and naturally, he's overprotected by the parents. One day, upon being beaten up by two teenagers, a stranger comes to their rescue. He becomes their fast and fond friends. The stranger, in the beginning looks harmless and mentally slow. As the movie progresses, we start to realise the underlying violence that the stranger is capable of. And because of him as well, the relationship between the black and the white boys become estranged. Another substory is that the black boy's violent father comes home to roost and he wants to have a second chance to redeem himself. In the way, audience shall see how he would change the dynamics of the storyline. The gist of the movie is to see the relationships between the two main characters gotten tested. Bob Hoskins probably appears for a few minutes in the movie, which is quite forgettable, really. Overall, a movie that's suspenseful and never dull to watch. A great promise for this new Director. Highly recommended. By the way, no extra features. May 26, 2006

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