Neds
2011 Directed by Peter Mullan
Synopsis
Neds (Non Educated Delinquents) is the story of a young man’s journey from prize-winning schoolboy to knife-carrying teenager. Struggling against the low expectations of those around him, John McGill changes from victim to avenger, scholar to NED, altar boy to glue sniffer. When he attempts to change back again, his new reality and recent past make conformity near impossible and violent self determination near inevitable.
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Good film, well directed by Peter Mullan with some interesting observations and striking set pieces. One niggle; John's narrative just didn't ring true for me; I didn't totally buy his descent from intelligent ambitious young scholar to Ned other than to be hung for a sheep for a lamb (the 'You want a Ned I'll give you a Ned' line was key and rather corny I felt) Still, excellent lead performance from Conor McCarron
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pretty grim up in scotland
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So absurdly foul-mouthed it's almost comical, this shocking descent-into-hell is the best Scottish film since Trainspotting. And that is high-praise indeed...
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Rewatch. Although very much liked, I found this a tad disjointed, heavyhanded and overlong first time out. Second time round and I find myself more forgiving. The symbolism, which seemed unsubtle, adds texture and depth, the freudian father/son relationship that bit richer, and the length just right. Damn, I could have watched more.
Two things disturbed me, however. Firstly, why the hell have so few of the cast gone on to be in anything else? Even given their age, you'd hope that there'd be more opportunities - they're great. Secondly, the fact that lots of the most intense gang action takes place in one of the same streets where I used to innocently tear about in my youth (Salisbury Place,…
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certainly packs a punch, a visceral, raw and shocking film starring young unknown actors in an atmosphere of Glasgow street violence, domestic abuse and a cracking seventies soundtrack. found some of the dialogue difficult to understand, the menace of streetlife is interlaced with some sharp and effective humour. thoroughly enjoyed it but had me feeling uncomfortable at times.
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Interesting as far as it goes and with impressive performances from its young cast of non-actors, but I feel the film misses the boat in terms of protagonist John McGill's transition from perfect pupil to ned. It just sort of happens in the blink of an eye, and while I suspect that writer/director Peter Mullan was attempting to avoid pinning the blame too squarely on any one event (though there is an overarching indictment of the "tiered" nature of the education system that existed at the time), it feels unmotivated and rather unbelievable. The nature of the plot, and Mullan's commitment to realism, means that there can be no eleventh hour redemption for McGill, meaning that the film doesn't so…
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pretty grim up in scotland
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No one does abject misery quite like the British film industry. Neds is the predictably grim tale of John McGill, who starts out as one of the cleverest young kids in his class (nicely played by Gregg Forrest) but, as he gets older (and becomes teenager Conor McCarron), begins a downward spiral into antisocial behaviour, gang-related violence, and eventually homelessness and glue-sniffing. Add to that an abusive, alcoholic cunt of a dad (played by the director), rife corporal punishment at school, and an older brother who's already got himself in trouble, and the film threatens to become a parody of Brit-bleak. Not only that, but it's set in 1970s Glasgow, with a washed-out colour palette to emphasise the browns and…
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This is a Scottish film and even with sub-titles it is difficult to follow. It is first of all way too long and the runtime taxes your patience. there were some interesting and inventive set-ups that kind of made the film worthwhile.
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It's difficult not to compare this film to 'This is England'. I guess you could say, 'This is Scotland'. Once again, the effort here is bold; and there are times director Peter Mullan gets it right. The subculture (as portrayed) has moments that feel authentic; but this Glaswegian drama often steers too far away from the center (emotionally) and the main character becomes wooden. It's certainly a miserable tale of miserable people. I get that. But the development of the characters don't connect with the story. The descent into madness is ineffective. I will state, the performances are good -- and the ending is absurd.
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Old Archive Review:
NEDS is the third film from writer and director Peter Mullan. Peter Mullan’s last film was the critically acclaimed Magdalene Sisters. NEDS is set in 1970s Glasgow. The film boasts a young cast of upcoming Scottish actors and they are brilliant in it. The film focuses on one young lad called John McGill who blessed with intelligence but with the environment he’s growing up in, the pen is defiantly not mightier than the sword.
What Peter Mullan has done is created a darkly funny, raw and brutal film and an insight to the gang culture in 1970s Glasgow. He does this exceptionally well. I’ll be honest when I found it hard to follow some of the dialogue…
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NEDS!! NEDS!! NEDS Everywhere... This reminds me of ''This is England''..but, in Scotland.
I didn't know hwat to expect when I started watching this, but it was so good, the characters feels so genuine, the actors or non-actors are amazing. -
Rewatch. Although very much liked, I found this a tad disjointed, heavyhanded and overlong first time out. Second time round and I find myself more forgiving. The symbolism, which seemed unsubtle, adds texture and depth, the freudian father/son relationship that bit richer, and the length just right. Damn, I could have watched more.
Two things disturbed me, however. Firstly, why the hell have so few of the cast gone on to be in anything else? Even given their age, you'd hope that there'd be more opportunities - they're great. Secondly, the fact that lots of the most intense gang action takes place in one of the same streets where I used to innocently tear about in my youth (Salisbury Place,…
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certainly packs a punch, a visceral, raw and shocking film starring young unknown actors in an atmosphere of Glasgow street violence, domestic abuse and a cracking seventies soundtrack. found some of the dialogue difficult to understand, the menace of streetlife is interlaced with some sharp and effective humour. thoroughly enjoyed it but had me feeling uncomfortable at times.
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So absurdly foul-mouthed it's almost comical, this shocking descent-into-hell is the best Scottish film since Trainspotting. And that is high-praise indeed...