Shank (2009) Reviews

• Promising but Ultimately Disappointing

  adam_world2009-06-03

  Shank tells the story of a closeted gang member Cal (Wayne Virgo) who is deeply in love with his best friend Jonno (Tom Bott). When Cal stops a senseless beating of college student Olivier (Marc Laurent), Jonno and his girlfriend Nessa (Alice Payne) seek retribution for what they perceive as Cal's betrayal. Their anger grows and tragic consequences ensue when they discover Cal's secret. Shank is set in a world not usually explored in gay cinema and as a coming out story there is a lot to be admired here. Unfortunately certain aspects of this film never work and that should have been apparent to the film makers early on. Virgo and Laurent are young, attractive and naked for most of the film but have no chemistry together. At times the audience roared with laughter at Laurent's soppy glances, terrible timing and absurd delivery. Despite what another reviewer has said, this did not "break the tension". These moments simply drew sharp attention to the amateurish mistakes made by the director and the problems with the script. Marc Laurent's performance as Olivier was dreadful. He might be a passable actor in his native French, but he lacked the experience and talent to give a nuanced performance in English. He simply couldn't convey the necessary combination of vulnerability and strength that would make him desirable to Cal and the audience. I didn't believe that the street tough would go for someone like Olivier. In contrast, the sexual tension between Cal and Jonno was electric. Tom Bott was completely believable as the sexy and dangerous Jonno. Bott's performance was flawless, subtly portraying a range of complex conflicting emotions. Alice Payne turned in a promising performance as Nessa, and Wayne Virgo in the lead managed to hold the film together. Near the end of the film a series of events occur that simply didn't seem plausible in the grander scope of the movie. We are asked to believe that a well-educated adult would act in a manner that contradicts common sense. His decisions are made doubly confusing with the final (contrived) revelation. There are no realistic consequences to the any of the character's actions. We are also subjected to some heavy handed imagery and a few film school clichés. If you're into queer cinema you will likely find something to enjoy in this first effort from director Simon Pearce. However, I think most audiences, gay or straight, won't find the movie nearly as compelling as it should have been.

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• Shank Much?

  thesar-22010-02-20

  I did have reservations of lowering my rating down to 4/10 stars for Shank, because overall, it wasn't that bad of a movie, for a small, somewhat original independent gay themed movie. How it mostly shot itself in the foot, was, though (again) somewhat original, it was thoroughly predictable, a bit unrealistic and contained the one of the most outrageous, out of left-field finale involving a rape (you'll know what I mean when your mouth is agape as was mine) and plot twists wrapped up that didn't either matter or there was simply no reason to tie up some stories. The movie begins with a small gang of male thugs lead by a female in England beating up just an innocent man out walking for no more reason than their twisted sense of enjoyment all the while filming it on their phones, I'm guessing for either internet or trophies. The movie shifts focus to one of the gang members, Cal (Virgo) who branches out his gang-free time by picking up a stranger to have some coke and sex with in the woods. This stranger happens to be of the same sex. Of course, he's closeted in his own gang, which probably is much like a KKK member who's black under his hood. He's also ashamed of this and doesn't want to get too involved in homosexuality. So, naturally (I'm joking, naturally only to this messed up kid) he pounds that male he banged in the woods pretty fierce, with one blow that leaves days of evidence. The victim happens to be a teacher, and that teacher happens to have gay student who inadvertently gets tortured in the same manner as the male in the opening shot. Only, this time, Cal rescues him. Even though I have never has an associations with gangs or thugs, it's fairly obvious to know the aftermaths of him helping this beaten gay student on the road. Again, like a KKK member bringing an African American down from the cross during their sick rituals. I don't think that KKK member would be looked on too kindly by the other racists. So you know where this is going, hence the predictability, as do you know Cal falls, finally, for another male. Though it doesn't begin that way: as Cal definitely likes Oliver, (Laurent) the gay-bashed citizen, he uses him to hide out from the revenge smitten ex-gang friends of his. Romance blossoms until the eventual climax (previously ridiculed by me earlier.) I do believe, in a lot of cases, opposites attract. These two, Cal and Oliver, couldn't be farther apart. Cal's a clean-cut, masculine, handsome, boyish looking, albeit gangster while Oliver would make Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes on Will & Grace) look like a straight Republican. I didn't really see any true love or affection of Cal's obsession with Oliver, other than a hideaway from his previous life or that the script called for it. All other examples displayed butch males he was attracted or desired. I don't want to sound too harsh on this film. I liked the eye candy, the actors or director had no qualms about showing them naked or in hard-core sexual acts – I hate edits, and the fact this story stemmed from a closeted gang member, something we rarely see, if at all. It gets a slight recommendation from me for the original idea, but reservations for the bizarre closing and predictability. (Not to mention, the beatings, though intricate to the story line and character development, were hard to watch. Not the most brutal beatings, SEE: American History X, but, nevertheless, they're hard to view, probably mostly due to the motive behind them. I.E. there was none – these punks were just plain evil.)

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• Disturbingly Real..

  calshank19802010-05-02

  As a gay man I can understand why other gay men have found this film difficult to watch. It is disturbing. It depicts a very real story that looks at a young gay gang member hiding from his fellow hoodlums his sexuality whilst engaging in dangerous and at time's very unsafe sexual practices without their knowledge. Only a chance encounter (and subsequent love affair) with a victim of the gangs abusive streak arrests his spiral and descent into the hell of the ultimately bored undereducated unemployed subculture that does hang out on Britain's street corners intimidating all those who appear to have more to their lives than they do! This betrayal turns the tables and lives change - forever. Whilst I agree that some of the acting is clunky and requiring more schooling - it is all very valiant in effort. I haven't marked the film down for this as the direction, script and editing and urban soundtrack (balanced with some lovely score) keep you hooked to the last. The first frame of the film is carried with you to the last reveal and this satisfies the viewer considerably. This is a brave film, unique when set against the volume of gay films that are being released that have nothing new to say and tread well worn clichéd paths. I genuinely applaud it. It's unique interwoven story deserves at least a 9 out of 10 on its own. It might not be comfortable viewing for many but it packs a punch that resonates for a long time afterwards - a mark of a good film. Quite rightly it reminds us that despite more liberal legislation of late gay life is still uncertain, insecure and gay men are still very vulnerable from fearful attitudes.

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• Outstanding film

  callumconnor992012-06-11

  I am so glad I finally got around to watching this title. It is by far the most original film with a gay central character that I have seen in a long while and I have seen plenty. Usually I tend to migrate towards foreign language films exploring gay subjects because their cultural take on gay life is oftentimes quite specific and original. I did not expect such originality from a British film and I can't understand how I missed it. To the naysayers on here I despair - it takes a brave person to write so convincingly and powerfully on a subject not explored before. The depiction of personal hatred and societal hatred was palpable and real. The making of revealed the myriad sources from which the idea had been researched and the significance of this tour de force really hit home. OK some of the acting is not quite on a par with more experience actors but the genuine grit and conviction in the performances made up for these excusable inadequacies. 10 out of 10 quite simply British at it's best. I could go on but I realise I am gushing - but I have to try and counter so much negative nonsense on here. Buy it, don't rent it and don't steal it off an illegal site (like a certain person I know did) - these film makers deserve to get every penny for their effort in the vain hope they make something as good again....

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• a gripping debut feature

  bernie-1752009-07-07

  I was lucky enough to catch this movie in Bristol. At the L&G festival in Miami the director won the Roger Walker-Dack Award for Emerging Talent in Queer Cinema. From researching the film and hearing the writer/editor and producer in a Q&A afterwards the film takes on a completely different resonance of believability when we learned that the majority of the narrative had been woven from real life events that had taken place in the UK. All the acting is first rate - with the French boy actually turning out to be French with a genuine accent to boot and not a faked or 'acted' accent. There's an astonishing vulnerability to the lead, a vicious vile portrayal by the female gang leader and some wonderful nuanced acting from the troubled Jonno. All the supporting cast give this film a depth that you wouldn't expect from a low budget independent film with such high production values. This is a gritty, urban and energetic film that grabs you from frame one and drives you through so many twists and turns that you find your emotions rubbed raw one minute then soothed the next. The final showdown is brutal in it's treatment of pent-up unrequited love between two young men and the biblical aftermath moved many in our audience to tears. The ending provides hope from a dire situation. Incredible raw camera work carousels you through the lives of these delinquent British youth whilst an urban 'great' soundtrack of hip-hop and rap is beautifully underscored by British composer Barnaby Taylor - whose piano and guitar punctuation at key moments helps bring the arc of the main character's story to an emotional high. People responded in an animated and engaged way to the screening in Miami with outbursts of laughter at plot points that gave the audience an opportunity to release some of the tension from the scenes of violence. There was also a palpable enjoyment of the more tender and moving moments that never felt gratuitous or deliberate but balanced. The Miami New Times says of the film "21yr old Director Simon Pearce has taken the bildungsroman, held it up against the wall and punched its face in." I had to look the word up as well and it means - BILDUNGSROMAN - A novel whose principal subject is the moral, psychological, and intellectual development of a usually youthful main character. I agree it did punch it in the face. From the facebook page ( shank cal shank - profile name) for the film it's clear that I'm not alone in my cry of 'bravo' to these innovative and daring film makers - the coming-out genre has been declared dead and buried with this film and SHANK is the new dawn for gay cinema. Lifting from the facebook page a Toronto audience member has commented: ""It was as close to a sell-out audience as you could get. The crowd seemed to really like it - great round of applause at the end and some laughs and gasps throughout as we reacted to certain scenes. Some great acting by a bunch of fresh talent, esp. Jonno and Cal. I hope it receives more acclaim around the globe. People need to see this - in the vein of Kids." another audience member from Toronto on their Youtube page commented: ""I also saw the movie in Toronto, too... large audience..... very well received. Beautifully filmed. Great actors! I wondered how someone at 21 could have directed such a well made film. The script must have been well written, too. - I was impressed." I note that Miami and Toronto are not the only festivals who are screening the film - it appears to be screening all over the world having launched in Melbourne in March - I recommend anyone who's at the 25+ festivals that are listed to go see it. This all adds up to a 10/10 in my book.....a rarity - film makers for SHANK don't rest on your laurels make another one.....can't wait

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