Tribe (1998)

Stephen Poliakoff's 1998 made-for-TV British drama tells the story of Jamie (the always-excellent Jeremy Northam) a developer who gets sucked into the strange subculture of a seemingly contended modern-day cult when he sets out to evict them from one of his properties. The impressive cast also includes Joely Richardson Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Anna Friel.System Requirements:Running Time: Approximately 100 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 844628010771 Manufacturer No: TE1077 Product Description

The Tribe is mysterious and absurd

Jamie (Jeremy Northam) is charged by the head of his firm with removing a mysterious group from some property he wants to develop. This `tribe' is a sort of cult, which barricades itself inside a gated mansion in a seedy part of London. Local, would-be hooligans are afraid of this group for no particular reason, especially considering the group is comprised of feeble, malnourished models. To earn a living, the Tribe sells electronic gadgetry on the street. How they obtain the gadgetry in the first place is a bit of a secret, though the group suspects it involves an exchange for sex between a desperate Japanese businessman and their leader, Emily (Joely Richardson). All of this is peripheral to the real crux of the group, which is free love. Jamie penetrates the group (quite literally) in the name of procuring the land that houses the group's fortress, though he finds himself increasingly both enamored of the Tribe's charm and disillusioned by his career ambitions. Made for the Beeb, there are certainly some silly moments, such as several scenes of the group strutting down the street or over meadows in their black robes, or barging into the compound of a competing sect and trying to form an alliance. Nonetheless, this film certainly provides enough mystery and allure to hold one's interest for most of its runtime. I initially wanted to watch it for Kate Isitt (of `Coupling' fame), though her role is very, very small. Not to fret, Northam and Richardson prove to be charming attractions. Anna Friel, however, practically steals the show as the wayward and free-spirited (read: loose) Lizzie. Fans of Jonathan Rhys Meyers probably will not be disappointed to find him fully nude in a couple scenes as well. There is also a series of this show, though I am not familiar with it. The DVD is presented in widescreen and the transfer looks great, though it lacks in all other departments; no subtitles or extras of any sort. This is not rated by the MPAA since it was made for TV, though it is the equivalent of an `R' rating due to full frontal nudity, profanity and a wee bit of violence. March 28, 2007

Preachy and a bit silly

I first about this film after reading an interview with Anna Friel and became curious and started searching for a video release. I just happened upon it one day. The story is somewhat contrived and is at its weakest when it tries to preach non-conformity and freedom of choice among the young people, when ultimately they realize the only choices they have are different types of confirmity. That probably makes no sense, but now you how I felt after watching this movie. And hey, Anna Friel looks great naked. November 9, 2006

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