Neds (2011)

Synopsis

Acclaimed actor/writer/director Peter Mullan returns to the gritty terrain of 1970s Glasgow with his third directorial feature, NEDS. John McGill is on the brink of adolescence with a promising academic future. At school he lives in the shadow of his expelled older brother Benny's less than stellar reputation, making teachers suspicious of what type of potential he has. His home life consists of a violent, drunken father and a repressed mother. Surrounded by bullies and NEDS, John, with no support system, takes to the savage life of the streets with a vengeance. As with Mullan's previous films, he brings a raw intensity to the screen. This piercing authenticity comes from Mullan's attention to detail - from the Glaswegian accents to the period clothes and homes. The intense performances - from a mostly unknown cast, led by rare find Conor McCarron as John - heighten the authenticity. In his screen debut, McCarron effortlessly taps into John's inner complexity as he transitions through his rough downward spiral. NEDS is a hard-hitting coming-of-age drama wrapped inside a gripping period piece that still resonates today.

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