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Thomas Turgoose, Piotr Jagiello, Kate Dickie, Ireneusz Czop, Perry Benson ... see more see more... , Elisa Lasowski , Risade Campbell , Ryan Ford

Dead Man's Shoes and This Is England director Shane Meadows takes the helm for this monochromatic childhood drama concerning two young friends living in London, and their efforts not to turn out like ... read more read more...their aimless fathers. Tomo has just turned 16, and as a result he's no longer under parental care. Eager to escape the Midlands and seek out a better life in London, Tomo sets out for the big city and strikes up a friendship with Polish immigrant Marek while traversing the streets of Somers Town. Marek is a quiet and sensitive boy who harbors a growing interest in photography and still lives with his father. But Marek's father is a hopeless drunk, and doesn't even notice when his son invites Tomo to share their apartment. Most days, Tomo and Marek are content to pass earning some quick cash from an eccentric neighbor, wandering the streets, and admiring a pretty French waitress named Maria who works at a nearby café. Eventually, the two become obsessed with the girl and begin tracking her every move. But one day Maria simply vanishes, leaving the boys to feel as if they have lost their muse. Later that night, Tomo and Marek decide to dull their pain by sharing a bottle. Of course, it's this very same night that Marek's father discovers his son has taken in a new roommate, and Tomo is swiftly evicted. As a result, the growing bond between the two boys is put to the ultimate test. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

71% liked it

18,519 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

53 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: Shane Meadows

Release Date: July 15, 2009

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DVD Release Date: December 31, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (588)

  • itsjustme2004
    October 13, 2010
    itsjustme2004
    Well..this is a fine example of a really nice little film that I'm not sure why I liked. But I did. Alot. I thought that the antics of these two boys were really entertaining. I like the whole feel of the movie, soundtrack and all.
  • SirPant
    June 14, 2010
    SirPant
    I love Shane Meadows, like I've said countless times, he is a savour to British film. In Somers Town he takes it down a notch after the success of This is England, a well thought out move, admirable and wise. It's a shame then that what could have been a sweet little film turns o... read moreut to be so disappointing. Its got the great Perry Benson in a supporting role and young Thomas Turgoose is maturing into a great actor. I also liked the scenes with the Polish Father and Son, I thought they were quite sweet and touching. On the whole however, Somers Town is totally lacking in magic, or at least the comforting feel of Meadows's previous work. It's not at all bad, it's just nothing special.
  • 76Majikat
    May 17, 2009
    76Majikat
    A much anticipated film for me and yet another great performance from Thomas Turgoose, who proves yet again his natural acting abilities.

    The story is kind of slow moving, but has the harsh reality we?ve all come to know as Shane Meadows trademark, not quite ?Dead Man?s Shoes?... read more or ?This is England? yet a storyline which draws you in and focuses on the friendship of two boys drawn together by each of their own lonely circumstances.
  • kiriyamakazou
    April 3, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Short, sweet and simple. Meadows does the intelligent thing of actually dialing it down a notch after This is England. It's a brief view of two very different boys that start a unique friendship. The film makes enough comments on life in England. It also works as a bridge between... read more immigrants and natives. A London set Stand By Me with affecting emotional performances and enough comedy to keep it light and fresh.
  • gor41
    January 15, 2009
    gor41
    Minor work which reflects its origins as a short film. Has all Meadow's trademark warmth and humour but lacks the grit.
  • McKittrick
    August 30, 2008
    McKittrick
    Well, it won't change your life and it is very slight - in length, obviously, but it also really did feel like half a story. Quite literally with it's frustrating ending - the screen goes black and the credits roll just as things start to happen. Did the makers run out ofmoney?

    ... read moreSpeaking of money, I noticed that Shane Meadows was criticised for making, what some feel, is a glorified advert for Eurostar. What?!
    I can't say I noticed anyone mentioning Eurostar by name. The station does feature prominently and one character mentions the short length of time it takes to get to Paris and our heroes do eventually visit Paris. But so what?? I, for one, wouldn't have taken much notice of this if it weren't for the fact that someone else thought it was significant. And as far as I'm concerned it was a very small price to pay if Eurostar has seen fit to invest in British Film in the first place. I'm glad someone is! Well done to them.
    Would anyone have even noticed if the characters spent half the film in Starbucks (have you seen I Am Sam??!) or MacDonalds drinking Pepsi or Coke? Personally I can't think of anything better to promote in a film than traveling by train (a cinematic staple as old as the medium itself) and I'm glad Shane Meadows is getting the cash from somewhere.

    Anyhoo... Somers Town is a lot of fun and the characters are extremely likable. Shot in black and white (except for a candy-coloured finale), which can usually create a distance with audiences used to colour, it's still filmed with Meadows' typically naturalistic and earthy way, (lots of improv for sure) making the characters feel very immediate (almost nouvelle vague! but more raw instead of cool!). And, unusually for Meadows, no-one is killed or brutalised (well not seriously anyway!) so that the smile stays till the credits roll and you leave the cinema with a jaunty swagger instead of your tail between your legs.
  • gator681
    November 24, 2010
    gator681
    In "Somers Town," teenaged Tomo(Thomas Turgoose) is having a hard time in London, having just run away from his native Nottingham. Soon after his arrival, he is beaten up and robbed of all his belongings. Marek(Piotr Jagiello) is also new to London from Poland, along with his f... read moreather(Ireneusz Czop), a railway worker. In order to blend in better, he has been given a counterfeit Arsenal T-shirt from Graham(Perry Benson) for services rendered to cover up the Manchester United one he was wearing. Marek still stands out enough with his photos of Maria(Elisa Lasowski), a French waitress, to catch Tomo's attention in a cafe.

    While so light and insubstantial that it is almost instantly forgettable, "Somers Town" does manage to convey some serious thoughts about the difficulties of adjusting to a new life in the big city. Tomo has a tough time of it because he is alone(He knows Jane(Kate Dickie), who is old enough to be his mother, but if she is a relation, wouldn't she call his parents?). On the other hand, Marek and his father do not even have English as a first language, alhtough they are quick learners from unusual sources, but they have each other at least, even as homesickness might take hold from time to time.
  • fb796967648
    July 25, 2009
    fb796967648
    Tiny and sweet, this delightful little tale of mismatched friends finding each other and having itty bitty adventures is a joy. A beautiful black-and-white production makes it seem like more than it probably is, but what is there is lovely and breezy and these two boys are great... read more company for the audience as well as each other. Over before you even get settled in, it's exactly right.
  • fb100000398655007
    May 19, 2012
    fb100000398655007
    Unique and beautiful cinematography. It gave the film a weird yet cool feel to it. What I noticed right away was that this film shined in its writing department. This featured great character development. I got to know a lot about the characters and their motives. It did struck m... read moree as awkward as to how close these two boys became friends so fast and even shared something that most men don't share. If you don't know what I'm talking about you have to see it for yourself. Their dialogue contributed to their development so much I had trouble keeping up. As for the plot it was okay. It could have been better, all they had to do was extend the running time. The direction could have been better. It lacked in camera work but it wasn't to much of a bummer. The production values where good. It was a good idea to have the last scene in color and make it look like it was filmed using a camcorder. If you're into film festival worthy films then this one is for you.
  • sportsphenom1
    December 17, 2009
    sportsphenom1
    A surprising little indie gem about friendship and adventure that surpasses even the great "Once". The driving force of this film, the chemistry created between the two youths, is a perfect synchronization of great writing, directing, acting, and editing, with an amazing soundtra... read moreck to boot. I love this film!

View All Somers Town Reviews

Critic Reviews

Walter V. Addiego
August 28, 2009
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle

Somers Town is a small-scale jewel that will surprise you with its buoyant look at blighted lives. Full Review

Gary Goldstein
August 7, 2009
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

Somers Town is a funny and endearing character comedy whose extra-brief, 70-minute running time proves perfectly adequate for its slender, episodic story. Full Review

Carrie Rickey
July 30, 2009
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

However thin, the story of these rootless youths, estranged from mothers and native cities, has a certain universality and appeal. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
July 17, 2009
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

A small but important film about small but important lives, the latest drama from Shane Meadows further confirms that more people should know about this gifted director. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
July 16, 2009
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

It is proof that there are all sorts of teenage lives going on in Britain, and sometimes, their most magical moments take place on dead-end streets. Full Review

Kyle Smith
July 16, 2009
Kyle Smith, New York Post

Like its star, the movie is too short and a little thin but just about perfect. Full Review

Scott Foundas
July 15, 2009
Scott Foundas, Village Voice

Meadows has made a lovely film about the ability of the imagination to offset the harshness of reality. Full Review

Manohla Dargis
July 14, 2009
Manohla Dargis, New York Times

Shane Meadows has been busily carving out his own corner in British cinema.

Aaron Hillis
May 12, 2009
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice

Thomas Turgoose reunites with writer-director Shane Meadows in this shaggy, endlessly charming dramedy set in working-class London, wistfully shot in black-and-white... Witty and warmhearted, it's a f... Full Review

Neil Young
June 27, 2008
Neil Young, Hollywood Reporter

A marvelous, pitch-perfect evocation of teenage friendship in modern London.

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