This Is England

This is England in 1983 at the height Thatcherism when England was at war with Argentina over the Falklands Islands. It's the setting for Shane Meadows' terrific film about a boy, Shaun, who finds acceptance in a skinhead gang. He has lost his father in the war and is being taunted by everybody till he find a sense of belonging with the gang. Things go bad when a violent former member, Combo, returns from prison to high jack the gang. As the gang fragments, the impressionable Shaun falls under the bad influence of Combo who becomes a father figure with devastating consequences. It's the first film to show a humanistic side of the skinheads without demonizing them. Like any other group, this group of outsiders share a common interest and they all want to belong as the first act of the film beautifully shows. Meadows has keen eye for the period detail and casting that's spot on. Thomas Turgoose gives a riveting and heart breaking performance as Shaun. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.