Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Hard, powerful prison drama offers a glimmer of hope.
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Starred Up
What's the Story?
Stone-faced, hair-trigger teenager Eric Love (Jack O'Connell) is no stranger to prison, but now he's old enough to be transferred from youth prison to the real deal, or "starred up," as it's known in prison slang. Guarded and coiled and already with extensive prison experience under his belt, it's not long before Eric's explosive nature gets him in trouble. But a prison therapist, Oliver (Rupert Friend), recommends that Eric join his group sessions to work on his temper. It's not an easy process, but Eric also gets a helping hand from long-timer Neville (Ben Mendelsohn), who has a special relationship with the troubled youth.
Is It Any Good?
English director David Mackenzie (Young Adam, Spread) has never made films that were easy to watch or easy to like, but with STARRED UP, he seems to have found some kind of balance at last. As it begins, with its hard, unflinching look at a prisoner transferred to an adult institution, it might recall Steve McQueen's very tough Hunger (2008), but though Starred Up always retains its edge, it finds a sympathetic heart as well.
Certainly it could easily have turned into a goopy, Hollywood-lite movie about redemption, but vivid details and the excellent, wounded performances help anchor things in something closer to truth. O'Connell gives a star-making performance, and Friend plays the therapist with a certain resigned gravity. Mackenzie's camera could easily have slipped into documentary-like shaky-cam, but it's as reserved and unfazed as the concrete walls all around it. This is a powerful film that's also surprisingly watchable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Starred Up's violence and fighting. How does the movie present these things? How do they make you feel? How does their impact compare to that of less-realistic movie violence?
Is the main character likable? Is he a sympathetic character? Why or why not? How does he show his humanity?
Does the prison therapist appear to be doing some good for his patients?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 29, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : February 3, 2015
- Cast : Rupert Friend , Jack O'Connell , Ben Mendelsohn
- Director : David Mackenzie
- Studio : Tribeca Productions
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 13, 2020
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