Neither the
material in The Selfish Giant nor the
approach by filmmaker Clio Barnard are particularly unfamiliar, and savvy
audience members are likely to see the bend in the storyline long before it
approaches, but none of this deters from the film’s emotional impact. Even when
the narrative appears slightly predictable or contrived, the realism drawn out
by Barnard’s ability to direct two spectacular young actors carries The Selfish Giant into higher territory.
It is simple debut that immediately brings to mind the work of Ken Loach,
effortlessly bringing the audience into the world of two children struggling as
outsiders in a poor working class UK
Loosely adapted
from Oscar Wilde’s fable, The Selfish
Giant follows the friendship between two troubled 13-year-old boys. Arbor
(Connor Chapman) is hyperactive and easily agitated, relying on medication to
keep him calm and moderately controllable, though his quiet friend Swifty
(Shaun Thomas) seems to do a better job. Swifty is large for his size, but his
shy demeanor makes him the less threatening of the pair, as well as the one
more likely to be bullied at school. Swifty helps in his friend from emotional agitation, while
Arbor defends his much larger friend from any physical attacks.
Due to the poverty of their
community, these unlikely friends aren’t permitted much of a childhood, instead
spending their free time searching for scrap to sell. Barnard was inspired by two
young boys with similar goals that she encountered while filming the documentary,
The Arbor (2010). Whether it was this
encounter, experience with documentaries, or simply good filmmaking, The
Selfish Giant allows us to feel as though we have encountered these characters
in similar happenstance. Their struggle feels less contrived because of how
realistically they appear to embody these roles, making for some impressive
acting for any age performer.
The DVD includes a behind-the-scenes
featurette, as well as a trailer and cast and crew interviews.
Entertainment Value:
6.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 9/10
Historical
Significance: 7.5/10
Special Features: 7/10
No comments:
Post a Comment