The strength of this directorial debut by an experienced producer resides in the warm friendship it establishes between its central characters, the 15-year-old Liverpool schoolboys Robbie (Josh Bolt) and Ziggy (Eugene Byrne), both newcomers to acting. However, the story in which they appear is a little tricky and at times somewhat distasteful: Robbie, who has an incurable heart disease and is determined to lose his virginity before his imminent death, persuades his chum to find a woman to have sex with him for love, money or feminine duty. There is a likable performance from Liza Tarbuck as the big-hearted nurse in charge of Robbie's hospital ward, but the direction is often uneasy and the acting tentative.
A couple of years ago, Mark Herman's Purely Belter, a lively tale of the friendship between two Tyneside teenage lads, made impressive use of Antony Gormley's steel sculpture Angel of the North.
A couple of years ago, Mark Herman's Purely Belter, a lively tale of the friendship between two Tyneside teenage lads, made impressive use of Antony Gormley's steel sculpture Angel of the North.
- 12/5/2010
- by Philip French
- The Guardian - Film News
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