jonathan_ley Review of A Room for Romeo Brass

A Room for Romeo Brass (1999)

One of the Best British films of all time!

[10/10 · 13 November 2004]

'A Room For Romeo Brass' is a startling piece of work and one I was quite unprepared for. I had seen some of Shane Meadow's earlier work (Twenty Four Seven, Smalltime, and Where's The Money Ronny?) and been very impressed by it but Romeo Brass is so far ahead of anything the director had done before that it knocked me sideways. Firstly the movie is a small scale drama with more emotional insight than the most epic of Hollywood movies. It is filled with stunning performances, witty dialogue and so many small moments that just feel true. For me, it's biggest achievement is the way it perfectly captures that time when you are young and your best friend is the most important thing in the world to you. The thought of them abandoning you is pure torture. This is something I had not seen represented in films before to such an extent. If you haven't seen this film yet than stop reading this and go and watch it because the film plays better the less you know about it. To discuss the film properly it is impossible not to reveal some potential PLOT SPOILERS. Like how the film throws the audience a complete curve about thirty minutes in when Morrell's character changes from a humorous man-child to a deranged psychopath. This moment is handled so well and one of the film's chief assets is the stunning performance by Paddy Considine (Romeo Brass is, amazingly, his debut). For my money Considine is Britain's most exciting actor currently working. His range is staggering. (See 'In America' where he even manages to act Samantha Morton off the screen!) The two young leads are mighty impressive too. Watching Romeo Brass is an absolute pleasure. One moment it is hilarious, the next terrifying. There is a wonderful generosity of spirit to the film. Like the work of another of my absolute favourite film makers, Paul Thomas Anderson, there is an emphasis on the quiet dignity and humanity of everyday folk. Nowhere is this better encapsulated than in the (absolutely terrifying sequence) where Gavin's father, previously something of a good for nothing type, kneels down to be sacrificed to protect his family. I have seen posted on the notice board that some viewers feel that this character is a wimp for his actions. But the sheer dignity, the reserves of humanity, expressed by him there is incredible. The film also captures violence very well in that it doesn't glamourise it, it shows what a messy, frightening, degrading experience it is. After watching the film I had to sit down and smoke some cigarettes because it really rang true for me. This film is the best British film I have seen for years. It's right up there with Shallow Grave and The Third Man. As such I think it's criminally under rated. One of the reasons for this I feel is the way it was marketed. I caught the film recently on DVD. The reason I missed it at the cinema was not that I was unaware of it but that the posters of a large pair of pants didn't exactly inspire me. This film has nothing to do with pants! If any British film should be advertised with a picture of a pair of pants it is Love Actually (and in that case the pants should be skid-marked) not this miraculous film. Go and watch Romeo Brass. Tell your friends, tell complete strangers, spread the word, the following starts here!