London Town - Film Review

This afternoon I was searching for something to watch when on Sky Cinema Premiere I spied a film I have not heard about or not even seen a review, London Town (2016). So I was intrigued to pop my password in and give it a watch.

Now, this is not the greatest movie of all time and it probably will not win any awards but if you are looking for a fun, touching and nostalgic little movie this could be the one. I am not much of a Clash fan but I have a strong appreciation of the time and the music so that was not going to be a problem.

Short synopsis of the film

In 1978 London, a 15-year-old boy named Shay (Daniel Huttlestone) starts listening to the Clash in order to impress a punk-obsessed girl (Nell Williams). Soon after, Shay keeps running into Joe Strummer (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers), the Clash's lead singer, who gives him advice about how to deal with his personal problems.

Things start to change for Shay once he receives a package from his mom … his first taste of music from The Clash. Soon enough, Shay finds himself chatting up a wild punk girl Vivian (Nell Williams) on the train who generously shares her own music from The Clash, as well as some insight into the band, and even a ticket to their next concert. After the best night of Shay's life, a work accident puts his dad in the hospital, requiring the son to take on even more responsibility.

This is where the movie gets really interesting. Shay is forced to step up and take care of his little sister. He learns how to drive his dad's cab and does everything he can to try to keep a roof over his little family's head. He goes to London and tracks down his mother who turns out to be a promiscuous, drug and alcoholic abusing wannabe musician who you know will never make it.

Eventually, Shay gets into a tussle with some skinheads at a Clash show and ends up in a jail cell with guess who, Joe Strummer. He discovers that Vivian is actually a rich girl.

Eventually, Shay realizes what his mother really is, and that his dad is a good and decent man

It is fairly well packed with colourful characters, scenes, and musical performances. Jonathan Rhys Meyers kills it as Joe Strummer, Daniel Huttlestone carries the movie from start to finish, and Nell Williams is perfect as the rebel punk teen girlfriend. Solid cast overall and some heart-warming moments like when Vivian looks on as Shay plays the piano for her for the first time.

Yes, it is a somewhat predictable movie but in the end I did not care.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Joe Strummer of the Clash