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Reviews
Neds (2010)
Glasgow gangs in 1970's
I heard mixed reviews from my friends about this film. Some said it was OK, others thought it was rubbish. Well I watched it last night and I felt motivated into leaving my first ever review.
Ultimately I thought the film was terrible. My reasons: Firstly, the plot was weak and the events and actions of the main character were not justified.
Secondly, the character development was very poor. Take the father for example - he was a drunk and abusive to his wife. But that was all we saw of him. This is similar with the boy's brother who we didn't get to know or the weird auntie character. Not only were most of these poorly cast but also we were left not feeling anything towards any of them.
Another point - there were loads of things that didn't really mean much or were used just to be able to allow the director to go in another director. There could have been numerous films made about individual parts of the movie. E.g. the father wanted to kill himself... What was that all about? Mullens touched on it and then we never heard about it again. In the dance hall, the main character gives his brother the w&^*r sign (you wonder what this means?) but then they are best of friends and the boy is planning leaving for Spain (another aspect of the film which is raised and then forgotten about). Same as the posh boy Jullian and his mother. Where was the police in all of this? surely Julian's parents would have phoned the police since it the firecrackers were tied to the football boots? Fourthly, the film jumps about all over the place. One minute he's an exceptional student, the next a total nut-case, then a student, the a nut-case.
Fifthly, the way the violence is trivialised. Spending years in Glasgow, and also being stabbed by a little ned, I know that this sort of violence occurs in Glasgow. But Mullens plays some uplifting/light hearted music while people are fighting and slashing people's throats. I didn't think that fitted well at all.
Lastly, the 'symbolism' of the ending with boy holding hands with the guy he attacked while they walked through the lions den was laughable! Again, it was very weakly put together and meant nothing. Who is the director trying to kid? I'm sure some idiots including Mullens will think this is a master piece but i found it very disappointing.
Overall - could have been a great film but fell far short of it. I would advise people to not even watch it at all - I recommend very similar film called Small Faces which I thought was really good..
Small Faces (1995)
None
The first time I watched this film I was probably around 15 and I really enjoyed it. I have watched it a couple of times since but not for many years - I'm going to watch it soon though! I decided to write a review in response to watching the film NEDs which is a very similar story (Glasgow 1970s). But I found it to be a terrible film in comparison to Small Faces.
I thought Small Faces was realistic with a humorous touch. The characters were all very well cast and the actors did a brilliant job.
I give it 9 stars. Maybe a bit generous but after watching NEDs i was reminded how much better it was.