Sweet Sixteen poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Martin Compston, William Ruane, Annmarie Fulton, Michelle Abercromby, Michelle Coulter ... see more see more... , Gary McCormack , Tommy McKee , Calum McAlees , Martin McCardie , Robert Rennie

Paul Laverty writes his fourth script with director Ken Loach for the gritty coming-of-age drama Sweet Sixteen. Set in the port city of Greenock, Scotland, local kid Liam (Martin Compston) spends his ... read more read more...days trying to make money with his best friend, Pinball (William Ruane). When he refuses to use his imprisoned mother, Jean (Michelle Coulter), as a drug mule, his criminal stepfather, Stan (Gary McCormack), and bitter grandfather, Rab (Tommy McKee), kick him out of the house. He moves in with his levelheaded older sister, Chantelle (Annmarie Fulton), who is a single parent to toddler Callum and has no love for their mother. Liam quickly comes up with the idea to buy a trailer for himself and his mom when she gets out of prison on the day before his 16th birthday. In order to get enough money to make a down payment, he comes up with a plan to steal Stan's drug stash and sell it to local junkies. With Pinball at his side, Liam starts to develop the skills of a successful businessman and gets noticed by a group of big-time dealers. Gang leader Tony (Martin McCardie) sees his potential and makes him an offer, which leads Liam toward the life of crime that he was trying to avoid in the first place. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

7,515 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

84 critics

R, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Ken Loach

Release Date: May 16, 2003

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

Stats: 396 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Sweet Sixteen Martin Compston sweet sixteen Sweet Sixteen Sweet Sixteen Sweet Sixteen
Upload a Photo | View All Sweet Sixteen Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (396)

  • imrealgod
    July 29, 2010
    imrealgod
    Sweet Sixteen. Sounds like a chick flick (nothing wrong if you like that genre; it's just that I'm not into that kind of movies in general). Now, the title itself is enough to prompt me to click on 'NOT INTERESTED'. (Off topic, but Shakespeare didn't know shit when he coined "Wha... read moret's in name?") But when it came as a recommendation from one of the friends here (by mvieaddict, to be specific), & the review (which I fortunately didn't read fully. She's given away how it ends. I know it's predictable, but still.) mentioned that it's a crime related movie, I was inclined to check it out. And having just watched it, I'm glad I did.

    It's not 'American History X', but it's close to that. It's relatively realistic & way better than most of the crime dramas I've recently seen. It has some truly great intense moments. It's not a tearjerker, but the way the relations are portrayed is quite touching. It made me care for the protagonist even after knowing that what he's doing is quite unethical. That's where the movie scored for me, because generally I don't get that kind of a feeling for such characters (or the characters I can't relate to).

    It takes a sneak peek into the life of a boy who wants to lead a sound life with his mom who's currently serving time in jail. But that's not not quite easy. He resorts to crime to make his dreams come true. And pieces start falling in their place for him. But alas... well, you already know what kind of ending you're supposed to expect with this type of movies. I'd not give away what exactly it is, just in case (yep, of late, I've decided not to give out big spoilers as far as possible).

    The actors were all new faces to me, but everyone performed well. The movie wouldn't have been so effective otherwise. Surely recommended.


    EDIT: Just because someone asked, I felt I should clarify it once & for all. I mentioned 'American History X' because the movie reminded me of it while watching it. There's not much resemblance between the two. When I said "it's close to that," I meant in terms of greatness, & not plot-wise. So there.
  • gor41
    August 17, 2007
    gor41
    Tragic tale of a boy trying to pull himself and his family out of a grim world but struggling not to get sucked back. Stinging indictment of a class of society whose only goal is survival and morals are cheap. The ending will blow you away.
  • mvieaddict
    July 26, 2010
    mvieaddict
    Ken Loach's movies are known for their intensity of showing the society differences of the British class. I saw that in Bread & Roses, Carla's song and AE fond kiss, but Sweet Sixteen was more dramatic and emotional. Here the director portrayed some sad lives going into violence ... read moreand crime and the way he presented the bad situations of these people were just memorable. Liam the lead character, a 15 year old boy who life had treated very hard, was selling heroine cigarettes on the street, who he had stolen from his mother's boyfriend. Liam's older sister Chantelle, who hated her mother,for being a heroine junkie and in prison was a very touching part of the story.The mother, for whom all the effort was done for her to keep her straight, got a nice house from Liam ,which he bought of drugs money.But when she got out prison she remained the disappointment she always was, and gave this movie a dramatic ending.
  • SunilJawahir
    April 12, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Such a dark movie but it's good and the acting is good for amateurs.
  • debmm
    May 27, 2008
    debmm
    I've never heard the "C" word so much in my life! Even so, my heart went out to this 15 yr old Scottish boy in Sweet Sixteen. His mom is due to be released from prison the day before his sixteenth birthday. He's doing everything he can to make a home for his family. Not much ... read moreavailable for a young lad except crime. This movie had me interested until 3/4 the way through...then it disconnected from the audience somewhat.
  • audrinalove2
    October 8, 2009
    audrinalove2
    I love all things british (mostly) & thia was not differant .....
    Good & sad & happy story of a young boy becoming a man & having a hard time of it .
  • Drewbacca
    July 16, 2006
    Drewbacca
    A bit tough to watch without subtitles. The accent is VERY thick.

    It was mediocre throughtout the beginning then really got good with the fighting and back-stabbing.

    If you liked "Kids" you'll probably like Sweet Sixteen

View All Sweet Sixteen Reviews

Critic Reviews

Bill Muller
August 7, 2003
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Using mostly unknown and first-time actors, Loach spins a passable coming-of-age tale, which should please his fans and provides a diversion for the rest of us.

Jeff Strickler
June 27, 2003
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Despite this film's title, don't expect something light and fluffy. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
June 27, 2003
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

From its gripping immediacy to its strong cast of unknowns, Sweet Sixteen feels almost like a documentary. Loach and screenwriter Paul Laverty keep an evenhanded focus on harsh truths, and avoid melod... Full Review

Robert Denerstein
June 20, 2003
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

A raw movie, but it relies on the natural appeal of its main character and the skill with which Loach creates a thoroughly believable environment.

Roger Ebert
June 13, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie's performances have a simplicity and accuracy that is always convincing. Full Review

Steven Rea
June 12, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A beautiful, grim tale.

Chris Vognar
June 12, 2003
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Ideology is manifested as empathy, rather than polemic, and the result is a lean, powerful little film that's more about people than politics. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
June 12, 2003
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

It's a harsh, terrible story of a rite of passage, a boy's love and a journey to hell, and it's so brilliantly told that we feel the cold above and the all-consuming flames beneath. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
June 6, 2003
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

A grim and gripping story.

Edward Guthmann
June 6, 2003
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

The casting is impeccable, the dialogue raw and the impenetrable Glaswegian brogue is wisely translated with English subtitles. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • In A Better World
    In A Better World (100%)
  • Kes
    Kes (100%)
  • Kids
    Kids (38%)
  • The Children Of USSR
    The Children Of USSR (100%)

More Movies like Sweet Sixteen

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Sweet Sixteen : Watch Free on TV

Sweet Sixteen Trivia

  • who was the lead man in sweet sixteen  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies did NOT star Jodie Foster?  Answer »
  • What movie about a young girls' forgotten sweet sixteen does this line come from? "That's why they call them crushes. If they were easy they'd call them something else."  Answer »
  • Which of these movies does NOT star Rhys Ifans?  Answer »
More Sweet Sixteen Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add Sweet Sixteen to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?