Film

Underground (1998)

Director: Paul Spurrier

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

The title has it down: this low budget British indie boasts plenty of style and an authentic street feel - it's probably the first credible picture of the '90s 'E' scene. Yet, following a night in the life of a London juvenile, Rat, who gets out of his depth with an ill-advised pharmaceutical sideline, it can't make up its mind if it wants to be a gritty thriller or a Nil by Mouth-style slice of life. There's not enough plot for the former, and some wobbly performances don't help - though young Smith is both resourceful and sympathetic - but it builds up a fair amount of tension and gets the thudding, spacey vibe of the clubs exactly right (the trance soundtrack recalls the heady days when Tangerine Dream and Wang Chung scored Hollywood's hottest thrillers). Visually striking, with an edgy, ambient style, it's an impressive directorial debut for Spurrier.

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