A tale in two cities
Reviews by Conrad Barrett
Two films dealing with working-class alienation and its symptoms have just been released in major cinemas. One set in London, the other in suburban Australia, both deal with drugs, crime and violence against women in a way that is shocking and uncomfortable to watch, but real and sensibly portrayed.
The films employ a realist style with an intrusive camera positioning which creates a sense of closeness to the characters that is overwhelming. (Seeing the two films back to back was a thoroughly exhausting experience.)
Nil by Mouth
Directed by Gary Oldman
Starring Kathy Burke and Ray Winstone
Nil by Mouth is Gary Oldman's first feature as a director. It's the story of a working-class family living in council flats in south London. It paints a bleak picture of drug abuse and domestic violence, and a culture of machismo and crime.
Smooth cuts between blank screen and a crowded bar set to the tempo of soft, melancholy Eric Clapton guitar open the film and introduce Ray (played by Ray Winstone) as he orders his shout at the local pub. A heavy drinker and occasional drug taker, Ray is a thickset thug who dominates all those around him.
The story follows Ray and his mates pulling off a dodgy deal and then going out to celebrate by touring the pubs and strip joints. The following day, Ray accuses his girlfriend's brother, Billy, of stealing his drugs and attempts to bite Billy's nose off. Billy's nose is badly mauled and he runs home to shelter with his mother.
Billy is addicted to heroin, an expensive habit. When his mother cannot afford to give him money for drugs, he breaks into Ray's place and robs it.
Ray's partner, Val (Kathy Burke), is a strong but tragic character. She is treated with contempt by Ray. One night Ray gets very drunk and, seeing Val playing pool with another man, gets jealous. He orders Val home, where he bashes her so badly she miscarries.
Val tries to hide it from her family, but the severity of her injuries puts her in hospital. Val's family support her and help rebuild her life.
The film's overall tempo is slow and drawn out. There is no comic relief, just blunt reality. The mixture of intrusive musical segments and then no ambient sound heightens the tension between the characters. The acting performances are extremely good, and the film rests a great deal on character development.
The Boys
Directed by Rowan Wood
Starring David Wenham, John Polson and Toni Collette
A tragic reflection of our society is played out in the new Australian film The Boys. It's a story of working-class alienation and violent personalities, set in stultifying, barren suburbia.
The story follows the first day out of prison for Brett (David Wenham). His first words indicate that he plans to settle old scores.
From the moment he asks his brother why he didn't make a single visit to the prison, to the moment he confronts the storekeeper who put him in hospital and prison, revenge seems just around the corner. Brett arrives home to find his stash stolen and suspects his brothers and his girlfriend.
Brett treats his mother patronisingly and his girlfriend violently. He pulls racist taunts at the Asian customers at the drive-through. He is a character of few redeeming features.
The film is interrupted by flashes of future events and the unfolding of a crime committed by Brett and his brothers. As the film continues, it becomes evident that the boys are involved in the violent rape and murder of a young woman.
Slow segments of unbroken dialogue follow Brett's every twitch as the tension grows and his unstable character is revealed.
The dialogue is drawn out, and the camera angles are very tight, creating a realism and intimacy that are at times quite uncomfortable. The setting is so familiar that it could be any suburb in Australia. This makes it even more frightening.
Films like The Boys and Nil by Mouth remind us of the tragedy that is working-class alienation in capitalist society. If you don't need any cheering up this week, go and see these films.