Sweet Sixteen
'Sweet Sixteen' - Directed by Ken LoachThere is a strong sense of documentary about 'Sweet Sixteen'. You can't help feeling that what you're watching being played out on screen is simultaneously being played out on thousands of council estates throughout the country. The film's director Ken Loach has provided a forum for the issues of social and economic poverty before. His approach in this film is neither ground-breaking nor innovative, but what he does achieve in 'Sweet Sixteen' is something far greater. He actually makes us care. Many, indeed most, may be bored with the issue but the characters surpass the cliche and hold the attention of the audience. They are the 'everyday Joes' of societies' underclass, as recognisable off screen as on. Fortunately, however, they exist not just as symbolic but as well-rounded 3-dimensional characters. Society may well have created thousands upon thousands of 'Liams' but we want this one to be different. The dreary urbanised setting of a Scottish council estate and the indistinguishable Greenock brogue serve to localise concepts that are essentially universal. The perpetuation of the social cycle is at the heart of the underlying social commentary we have come to expect from L
Compston shows great promise as the films pathetic hero, capturing with great sensitivity the intelligence and affection which endear us to the otherwise hopeless character. His genuine interest in the plight of the working classes is communicated well by the sensitive screenplay of Paul Laverty and the performance of his inexperienced cast is remarkable. Of course we can't help but know that possessions are always of secondary importance to our protagonist. Of course his attempts are thwarted. Liam turns to crime because it's the only thing he knows. Remaining true to the form of his previous films Loach with his screenwriter Paul Laverty confront the issue at hand with a gritty realism, void of the patronising sympathies that often come hand in hand with a film of this nature. Once again Liam is taught one of life's harsh lessons, money can't buy happiness. A great strength in 'Sweet Sixteen' is the performance of 'non-actor' Martin Compston as Liam. What Liam craves most of all is the love of his mother, when he is given the riverside flat he mistakes it as 'another caravan'. The continual frustration of Liam's dreams is at times heart-rendering. Intent on repairing his broken home, law breaking is the easy, if not the only, route. A fresh start, "a place to start all over again". If your looking for a light hearted film or a happy ending Hollywood style then 'Sweet Sixteen' is not for you. In turn we are driven to engage with the story rather than just sit back and take in the action 'Sweet Sixteen' is littered with humour. Filmmakers have taken us to these council estates before, Loach himself brought us here in his 1999 Production 'My Name Is Joe'.
Common topics in this essay:
Ken Loach,
Danny Boyle's,
Liam Compston,
Jon Morrison,
Paul Laverty,
Name Joe',
Loach Remaining,
'sweet sixteen',
council estates,
ken loach,
can't help,
,
paul laverty,
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Acceptance Essays
