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Adulthood (2008)

Director: Noel Clarke

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

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User reviews of this film

joe harris said...

Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:22 tom is gay

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joel said...

Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:21 lol i have seen alittle bit of it but i want to see it all

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ramstarrrrr......... said...

Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:21 fuck younger ra pussess

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joel said...

Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:19 iv never seen the film but i think that the film will be gd and i want to see it

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ramstar said...

Posted on Oct 21 2008 10:17 this film is of key i think it is sick because there loads of violent

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g unit biatch said...

Posted on Oct 17 2008 21:40 u all suk hairy dik u biaches

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serjeel said...

Posted on Oct 16 2008 12:48 RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
CALCUTTA FUCKER BITCH BELL FISH

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Jon said...

Posted on Oct 16 2008 12:46 shutupp latty are u proud of bein a tramp livin in the 'slums' of calcutta? u fokin rio de jenero wana be bitch ass suck my sak u hairy bitch i bet u dnt shake ur armpit hair u trampy slumer slag suk ur slummy mom n dad if u even kno ur dad u baastud slum liver i hate u now...
however, i did enjoy the film very much, it was a delight to watch as was the previous one; kidulthood..
BUT LATTY U SHUT THA FOK UP YEHH

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LATTY said...

Posted on Oct 16 2008 11:33 THE FILM REPRESENTS YOUTH AND HOW THEY'RE LIVING LIFE 4 ALL THEM PEOPLE THAT SAY IT DOESNT YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT LIVIN IN THE SLUMS !!

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Dan said...

Posted on Oct 09 2008 16:37 I don't mind people not liking this film, obviously, it's there opinioin. BUT I'd love to slap some of these clowns who are talking like they are oscar winners or something. I absolutely loved the film as i loved Kidulthood. I was gripped from start to finish, it had funny bits, tense bits, it was realistic to a point but all these people saying its dramatised... It's a film what do ya f***ing expect. Everything is English including the music which i love :) noel clarke is soooo talented. Plus it doesn't get anywhere near as big budget as American films yet in my opinion is still better than most of them!

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Siobhan said...

Posted on Sep 25 2008 14:58 LOOK .to anyone who gives this film a bad comment you seriously are crazy you wouldn't know if a great film came and slaped u in ur face. I think this film is excellent and being young myself growing up in south east london i see what teenagers go through and this film really does show how Bad things are getting. This is my opinion any and to like a film like this you need to be able to relate to it and this film did show da realness of life for some youngsters. anyway dis film is really good and more should be made. kl

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Tommy said...

Posted on Sep 14 2008 23:28 This film is barely worth a free download, nevermind actually paying money to see it. The story line is usless, the actors and acting skills seen in this film are embarrasing. It's far fetched to the extreme. I've lived in London all my life, things can get 'grimey' but as for walking around London shouting out BLAD and SAFE time after time, that's not how things are. What is Plan B doing in this film? He looks as if he'd be better suited studying advanced physics than playing the role of a street hitman and then of course there's Adam Deacon, i don't usually promote violence but i wouldn't mind getting prosecuted for GBH as long as i could give this overhyped, rude, idiot who if you were blind would swear has lived in the worst part of Kingston, Jamica all of his life a good hiding. Forget about it, watching the clouds move in the move is more entertaining than watching this pile of shite blad serious now get away from me you joka or i'll shank you up, you get me fam.Safe

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nik said...

Posted on Aug 11 2008 11:18 i hate pple who are saying this film is like real life no it isnt. its dramatic how people think there like them out of the film face up to it you will never be like that dont cry its just a film u sad idiots ur all no gangsters hahahahahah ur not hard

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RUBBISH said...

Posted on Jul 28 2008 20:33 SO RUBBIISH I HATE IT

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Laila 786 said...

Posted on Jul 24 2008 09:53 Wicked film!! not to keen on films like this, but this one was so wel scripted enjoyed every bit! its a defo must see!

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