Fans of All-4-One who have been crying out for a biopic, get ready for the biggest cinematic disappointment of the year. Now that we’ve got our corny nineties pop reference intro out of the way, I’d like to talk about one of the best Brit Flicks of the last couple of years. While the world feels like its going more to shit, with the rich getting richer and the poor left fighting with one another for mere scraps, a fabric of society tearing apart fuelled by algorithms to feed your anger and prejudice, an availability heuristic dimming the rational mind, British films have remained jolly and wholesome this year, whether The Ballad of Wallis Island, the criminally underseen Lollipop, the downright fictitious Salt Path or new Tourette’s drama I Swear.
Based on the true life story of John Davidson, a Scottish advocate who got an MBE (This is in the opening scene), we start with the adult version of him getting an MBE, visibly nervous. When he walks into the main hall, he says “Fuck the Queen”. I mean, who hasn’t said worse about the royals? We then go back in time when he as a child (Scott Ellis Watson) goes from charming social lad to a despondent, depressed child after his ticks come along. We see the impact on him and his parents (Mum being Doctor Who Paving Slab Shirley Henderson), before moving to a number of years later when all grown up, living with mum and life having stopped he runs into an old friend. From here, he’s (Robert Aramayo) introduced to star of the show Dottie (Maxine Peake), a former mental health nurse with six months to live (We know she’ll be fine, we see her in the opening flash forward). Together they look to get him sorted with job, accommodation and dealing with his condition. It’s no smooth ride. There are ups and downs, but the whole film is a heartfelt and real movie.
So going into this, my main concern was watching this with an old British Audience. There have been some films recently, such as Hard Truths or Pretty Red Dress where the audience laughed at the wrong bits. The awkwardness and the anger, going against quiet social norms adorned to them in moments of these characters suffering. Likewise, there was enjoyment from people at the swearing of Ohh lady daa Olivia Colman in the insufferable Wicked Little Letters. So this felt like a disaster waiting to happen.
However, the opposite happened. There was no out of place laughing, and that is a credit to the movie. It does have amusing moments, but equally its unapologetic in its dark moments and consequence. If John ticks at the wrong time, there is danger, or unpleasant looks from those around him. He lacks human connection at times, and it owns that sadness. It means these ticks are bad for him, and he has to cope. The movie is honest, instead of punching down it lifts its characters up, to make those with him exceptional. It also doesn’t judge those who struggle. It’s interesting that his relationship with his mum isn’t resolved. They don’t become super close, but are at peace. Likewise, after all his work on advocacy, there are situations where people still judge him and keep a distance. This film feels like it’s written from John’s perspective to show his life, not make liberals feel better about themselves. It does show empathy though, it asks you to become better people. It’s a really moving peace, and was far more effective that I thought it would be.
The acting is fantastic as well. The young actors are great, but when we get Aramayo and Peake on screen together, their chemistry is electric. They’re funny at times and heartfelt in others. Likewise, Henderson as the mother who we don’t see much after the first act feels a deep and complete character. All of them do, it’s a result of fantastic writing and acting.
This all adds up to create one of the most affecting movies of the year. One which will make you laugh and cry. It will tear you apart and bring you back together. An essential watch.
The Film Ramble 