Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Search cinema listings

Browse cinemas A-Z

Search 20,000 reviews

 

Adulthood (2008)

Director: Noel Clarke

3

Time Out rating

Average user rating
136 reviews

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 2008-06-17 11:44:06

Time Out London Issue 1974, June 18-25, 2008


  • Print this page
  • Send to a friend

User reviews of this film

  • E.Y.G GANGSTAR TINIE-G said...
    Posted on Oct 20 2009 13:04 ADULTHOOD WAS GD HOLDTITE MY ALL E.Y.G GANGSATR,AND MY REAL NIGGZ U NO HU U ARE, NEW 09 BANGER GRIMEY FT TERRIBLE MAD TING, HOLDTITE MY YOUNGS STILL MANLIEK ALBIE SAS NINO MUKSZ......................................................
    Report as inappropriate
  • 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
    Report as inappropriate
  • 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
    Report as inappropriate
  • 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.
    Report as inappropriate
  • 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
    Report as inappropriate
  • terry said...
    Posted on Jan 26 2009 19:08 such a rubish film i was looking forward to watching it. very poor
    Report as inappropriate
  • Nataliee Babiix said...
    Posted on Dec 29 2008 18:28 WoOps' Ah Daisy .. WrOte Tht 2wice .. Silly Mii Eh? Lurveeee Yahs's x x x
    Report as inappropriate
  • Nataliee Babii x said...
    Posted on Dec 29 2008 18:26 Heyy Guyz:x Yu'z Arr Oll' Kwiite Sad.. Writin AbOut Film'z Mann Geta' Grip!! Silly'z . lOlz' . JusD' Kidden .. AdulthOod IzZ AbsOlutlyy Amazin. Best Film Av Seeen In Aaaages:-| KidulthOod Iz Okayy Bt AdulthOods Tha bOmb Ha :)) Listen Ty Mii A Wee Neddy Pie :-)) Byeee Guyzzz''z x x x Natty Babbyy x
    Report as inappropriate
  • Nataliee Babii x said...
    Posted on Dec 29 2008 18:26 Heyy Guyz:x Yu'z Arr Oll' Kwiite Sad.. Writin AbOut Film'z Mann Geta' Grip!! Silly'z . lOlz' . JusD' Kidden .. AdulthOod IzZ AbsOlutlyy Amazin. Best Film Av Seeen In Aaaages:-| KidulthOod Iz Okayy Bt AdulthOods Tha bOmb Ha :)) Listen Ty Mii A Wee Neddy Pie :-)) Byeee Guyzzz''z x x x Natty Babbyy x
    Report as inappropriate
  • luke bunting said...
    Posted on Nov 28 2008 10:20 are u mad every single 1 ov ur are pussy holes
    Report as inappropriate
  • jason said...
    Posted on Nov 24 2008 11:20 i love kidulthood to adulthood it is so good and i love gangerster from jason croombs
    Report as inappropriate
  • jason said...
    Posted on Nov 24 2008 11:18 i love adulthood and kidulthood it is goooooooooooooooooooooo
    Report as inappropriate
  • bater said...
    Posted on Oct 23 2008 10:14 this film is well wicked big up to all my bloods at swansea dooooooog this shit is banging get your bloods and reggie out coedyyyyyyyyy
    Report as inappropriate
  • katy said...
    Posted on Oct 21 2008 14:28 hi... stephan is gay but i love him nyway =)
    Report as inappropriate
  • ramstar ........... said...
    Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:24 oooo snot attck get fuck u cunt
    Report as inappropriate
136 comments: page 1 of 10
1 2 3 4 5

What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields


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

Related articles




Top Stories

Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones

Our verdict on Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones

Peter Jackson ends a triumphant decade with a sentimental misfire with this lush Alice Sebold adaptation

On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'

On the set of Ken Loach's 'Route Irish'

Dave Calhoun meets Ken Loach on the set of his forthcoming Iraq war movie

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'

Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?

How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'

We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

A gateway to all things 'New Moon'

In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.

London Children's Film Festival

London Children's Film Festival

Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

The films that deserve a TV spin-off

With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'

Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam

In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations