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Bookmark this pageAdulthood (2008)
Director: Noel Clarke
Movie review
From Time Out London
When ‘Kidulthood’ came out in 2006, I was put off by the over-ambition of Noel Clarke’s screenplay, which tried to cram every hot-button teen issue into a melodramatic 90 minutes of violence, sex and drugs on London’s streets. It had an impressive energy and a little insight but the acting was ropey and the directing superficial. Its follow-up, ‘Adulthood’, is again written by Clarke, who had an ensemble part in ‘Kidulthood’, but now he directs and reassumes the role of Sam Peel, a lad fresh out of jail after serving six years for the manslaughter that brought the first film to a close. There’s barely a scene without Clarke skulking about the streets of Ladbroke Grove and he has several brooding close-ups that make you wonder if he has ever heard of humility.The story has a tighter focus than its predecessor: Sam spends a busy day trying to avoid being dragged back into a cycle of revenge and violence. He fails – and much chasing and cursing follow. There’s a thoughtful side to this maturer sequel as Clarke ponders the struggle of growing up: a plot involving a lonely young woman (Scarlett Alice Johnson) scarred by her past offers a welcome, maudlin aside from the gun and knife play. But there are bum notes that will have people chewing the arm rest: a posh guy buying drugs is the worst sort of cartoon, and the location of a late showdown – Compromise Avenue, W11 – is a distraction. It’s a film with its target audience – teenage boys and the youngest of men – firmly in mind and we’re never far from a rapid edit, a loud tune or a fight.
Author: Dave Calhoun
Time Out London Issue 1974, June 18-25, 2008
User reviews of this film
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- Natasha said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2012 11:10 A very well put together, gritty and realistic look at life on the streets today. Kidulthood was fantastic, it addressed many of the issue in adolescent life today and Adulthood shows the aftermath of those issues. Very well directed by Noel Clarke,who don't forget is just an up and coming director. I like the way both Kidulthood and Adulthood does not shy away from realism and isn't afraid to stick the middle finger up to the critics and say ''this is how it is''. Even the clothes, make-up and hair are realistic. It's no film for Hollywood, but certainly a great British treasure.
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- stockylad said...
- Posted on Oct 08 2011 00:44 All Tight ShadyYout. You spat it all blud.
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- devon said...
- Posted on Sep 19 2011 10:15 this film is da boy man demz
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- sam said...
- Posted on May 27 2011 23:47 this film has to be one of my favourite film showing du*b f*cks in london when u young this is the best and very realistic
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- rachel said...
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Posted on Jan 08 2011 12:01
this film was brillient i dont feel that it's only a teen boy film as i loved it and im a girl! i feel that nole clarke is a great director and he's still only an up and coming one. the cast were not bad actors and i should know as ive got a*s for gcse & a level drama, they acted very well. i think the film showed some people how hard it is to be a teen growing up in iner city areas like london.
this film is a great follow and i reccomend it as it'll have you gripped to your seats. - Report as inappropriate
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- Nate1992 said...
- Posted on Nov 05 2010 15:29 The film tells a story of how bad things are getting in London yes it's very graphic and full of curse words but let's be real watering it down isn't going to help.Great films
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- ShadyYout said...
- Posted on Aug 03 2010 10:17 These ickle manz need to seckle down blud! This film ting was sick, you get me? Manz wanna yap about dem yout and tings but this beez life in da manor blud! Bare mans be out to bore bredren and jack tings for a nugget.
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- verasity said...
- Posted on Jun 11 2010 13:49 this film was complete rubbish, a waste of 90mins of my time, it done nothing but endorse anti socialism,and gave kudos to thug (gangster wannabe) behaivour.full of negativity, there was no high point no moral for young ppl to learn from, it was a tiresome load of crap and aggro from start to finish,noel is suffering a bit from opera winfrey syndrome ithink, painting white girls as sluts. this film is not deserving of one star.
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- veracity said...
- Posted on Jun 11 2010 13:37 This was a load of rubbish, it was 90mins of non stop negativity, over the top sensationalism and unconvincing at times noels character sam was badly acted,the film was a clear endorsement of anti socialism, and gave kudos to the widespread brainless thug (gangster) behaivour we see rife on our streets today . it done nothing but encourage evil there was no high point or moral lesson from this film, it was a tiresome load of crap and aggro.
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- MissM25 said...
- Posted on Jun 07 2010 20:25 When I first watched Kidulthood I was cringing at the some of the storylines, but not because they were unrealistic , rather becasue they were spot on and it’s truly sad to see the way young people are living today. Being only in my twenties, I can still relate to much of it, and I think Noel did a great Job addressing the issues Urban teenagers face today. However, I was so pleased to see that Adulthood showed more balance to the storyline. It showed the atfermath of acting like a bad man, the dangers that follow and the hurt that can’t be erased. A well put together film, that highlights another side to London.
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- Tinie-Sas E.Y.G said...
- Posted on Oct 20 2009 12:59 THIS FILM WAS ARD STILL GET HOLDTITE MY MA REAL NIGGAH U NOW HU U ARE. E.Y.G BANGBANG NEW 09 BANGER TERRIBLE AND GRIMEY LOOL HOLD IT
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- eyg say no more s@s said...
- Posted on Oct 20 2009 12:55 thisz film whas gd from kidulthhood 2 adulthood trust hold tyte my all gangster in disz film and my peng gurls get me ma just here get me
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- Gants said...
- Posted on Apr 09 2009 14:19 This film and its' prequel are so bad it hurt to watch. The part that pissed me off the most was the constant negative portrayal of white people. If this is what Clarke thinks is an realistic image of London life then he clearly is deluded. It seem more like his idea of a dream life where he is mister cool hardnut but still sensitive. Give me a break. One star is too much to rate this.
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- sascha n jackie said...
- Posted on Mar 19 2009 16:11 we think the film is slammin and the actors are well hot!! we think katie should never had died, she should have come back on adulthood and kicked those girls asses hard! xxx
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- terry said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2009 19:08 such a rubish film i was looking forward to watching it. very poor
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Cast & crew
Director: Noel Clarke
Cast: Noel Clarke, Adam Deacon, Scalett Alice Johnson, Jacob Anderson full cast
Genre(s): Drama
Rated: 15
Duration: 99 mins
UK Release: Jun 20 2008
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