NEDS * * * 1/2
Director: Peter Mullan.
Screenplay: Peter Mullan.
Starring: Conor McCarron, Peter Mullan, Greg Forrest, Joe Szula, John Joe Hay, Richard Mack, Christopher Wallace, Gary Milligan, Steven Robertson, David McKay, Stephen McCole, Gary Lewis.
Following up the quality of “The Magdalene Sisters” was always going to be difficult for writer/director Peter Mullan and although he achieves a similiar hard-hitting authenticity with “Neds” and delivers an impressive retelling of youthful gang culture, he gets himself caught up in some artistic flourishes that don’t quite gel with the stark accomplishment on-screen.
Glasgow, Scotland, 1973; the streets are filled with knife-wielding youths. Caught in the middle, is promising and aspiring teenager John McGill (Conor McCarron). He’s a bright and ambitious lad that’s held back by his alcoholic father (Peter Mullan) and the terrifying legend of his older brother (Joe Szula), who he feels the need to live up to. Peer pressure and a lack of chances in life, turn the young McGill feral. So much so, that his brooding anger surfaces to point of bloody violence, leaving him very little hope in achieving anything that he was fully capable of.
Having grown up in Glasgow, himself, Peter Mullan knows the time, the people and the city very well. This, undoubtedly, comes across in his choice of music, his eye for the style of the 70′s and his brilliant and effective use of Glasgow locations. He also assembles an impressive cast of young, unknown Scottish actors who deliver natural, colloquial, dialogue and excellent performances. Myself, being a working-class Glaswegian, could identify with these characters, their behaviour and the politics of gang culture and can confirm that this is an astute portrait of a very real problem that still exists in Glasgow today. For that reason, Mullan has to be given kudos in not only achieving such authenticity, but by delivering it so vividly.
Respected directors such as, Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, have made a name for themselves with similar ‘kitchen-sink’ dramas and Mullan’s efforts here, command a similar respect. However, despite the realism and attention to detail, Mullan makes the same mistake he did with “Orphans” and injects it with surreal moments – like visions of Christ – that don’t contribute anything positively to the story. It’s understandable why he’d make allusions to the power, manipulation and guilt that comes with a Catholic upbringing in a city like Glasgow – where there is a big religious divide – but they just seem as if they belong elsewhere. These moments are sporadic, buy they’re still jarring enough to make you believe that this is a director serving some egotistical delusion of his own artistic merit. Whereas, he could be concentrating on the very thing that he knows so well.
The film has a lot going for it in terms of it’s accurate portrayal of these times but as it draws to it’s conclusion and the unsure progression of the main character, the film ends rather ridiculously, not really knowing how to end.
Mullan’s attempt at profundity falls flat, but as a portrayal of Glasgow gang culture it’s very observant and accurate. It’s just a shame that he didn’t really know how to tie things up and delivers an ending that didn’t have the distinct aroma of desperation.
(For the record – and those that missed the poster above – NEDS is an abbreviation of ‘Non Educated Delinquents’. It’s the common term for the violent and anti-social youth in Scotland).
Mark Walker
MARKED MOVIES 
June 21, 2013 at 1:09 pm
At first I thought you were reviewing “Reds” and accidentally had a typo! 😉
Nice review my friend. It’s a totally new movie for me.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Man, it’s been years since I seen Reds. I’d love to see that again.
But, No! This is very much a different film. Worth checking out, bro.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:10 pm
I fucking love Peter Mullan, I got to check this out!!!!!
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June 21, 2013 at 1:17 pm
You should check it out, Chris. It’ll give you an insight into my city and how brutal Glasgow can be sometimes.
I reviewed Mullan’s other film The Magdalene Sisters yesterday. You should definitely check that out too. That’s an outstanding film.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I’ve read all of Ian Rankin’s books so I have an idea. 🙂
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June 21, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Well there you go then 😉 This should go down nicely.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I love the whole Scottish vibe. is it true there’s a whole underground system of tunnels in Edinburgh?
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June 21, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Yeah, there were underground tunnels or ‘vaults’ as I think they were called. A lot of lower class people would live there but this wasn’t found until fairly recently when an excavation was done. An abundance of history, man.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:59 pm
WOW! Amazing!
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June 21, 2013 at 2:04 pm
Yeah, man. The history of Scotland is something else.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Look at you doing local stuff 😉 I should of reviewed it to keep my quota of Scottish people up.
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June 21, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Haha! The local stuff needs attention too, man. Yeah, what the fuck’s happening with your Scottish quota? Your standards are slipping 😉
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June 21, 2013 at 2:34 pm
Hadn’t heard of it previously, Mark, but based on your review, I’m not sure it’s something I should put on my radar. “ends rather ridiculously” and “Mullan’s attempt at profundity falls flat” are red flags, you know? 😦
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June 21, 2013 at 3:12 pm
I understand that Fogs. For the most part, it’s excellently filmed and captured but the ending didn’t work for me solely because it’s based on an old joke that I’d heard years and years ago. For anyone that isn’t familiar with the joke, it probably wouldn’t bother them but it did me. I wouldn’t totally out rule it. There are many things to admire here.
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June 24, 2013 at 8:35 am
Superb write up mate. I haven’t caught this one but I do like Peter Mullan so I’d definitely give this a whirl. I assume this is essentially about your youth, am I right?! 😉
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June 24, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Cheers Chris. It’s definitely worth checking out. The year it’s set is a little before my time. I was just a nipper then. Wasn’t born till ’78 but I did grow up on a scheme (or estate) and I’m familiar with similar stuff (unfortunately).
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June 24, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Hmmm, I like films about delinquents but I have not seen this one. That Orphans film you mention is that the one from 1987 with Albert Finny?
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June 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm
If you like delinquent films then this should be right up your street, Adam. It’s a good flick. Worthy of some attention.
Orphans is a low-budget, working class drama that’s features many Scottish actors. It was Peter Mullan’s debut as director. There’s no Albert Finney. You must be thinking of another movie. Certainly worth a look, though.
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June 24, 2013 at 10:35 pm
Yeah I am thinking of this Albert Finney flick Orphans that co-starred Matthew Modine. I will have to try and give this one a watch
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June 25, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Can’t say I’m familiar with the Albert Finney one. I’ll look into that.
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June 29, 2013 at 3:16 pm
I have become a fan of Peter Mullen as an actor, and this movie sounds like one I’d love. I definitely enjoy British social realism. I’ll add this and The Magdalene Sisters to my list.
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June 29, 2013 at 3:23 pm
You should definitely add them to your list Steph. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Two great films, especially The Magdalene Sisters. Thanks for dropping in. 🙂
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