I'd wanted to see this for a long time and it didn't disappoint. I'm not sure what I expected but loved finding romance, dancing, pubs, crime, a whole gallery of characters and even lovely cat. Bonar Coleano, Earl Cameron and the beautiful Susan Shaw all put in good work, but so does everyone. Pace, incident and so much London. I've roamed the South Bank (and further) these past two days which made it even better.

Likely thirty years since I last saw this film, which has elements that have proven unforgettable since youth. I want to give an extra nostalgia star but I suppose I've become old and cynical.

EDIT: Fuck it, three stars for old times' sake x

Because coke ain't cheap.

This film affected me like no other. I found that three quarters of the way through I was moved almost to tears and the feeling just grew. When the end credits appeared I didn't just cry, I burst into applause as well, alone in my dark front room. This was the best catharsis. Pride, strength, triumph and most of all, of course, love. All that from a boy learning to read. That small huge thing. A family home in a cramped country suddenly the infinite universe.