A
great coming of age story. Set
in the 70’s at the beginning of punk rock, 15 year old Shay (Huttlestone) works
for his single dad’s (Scott) piano store who moonlights as a cabbie at night to
make ends meet. 

During
a trip to London to pick up piano parts, he meets Vivian (Willams) who
introduces him to punk rock scene and the music of the Clash.

 When his father is injured in a piano moving
accident, Shay takes on the responsibility of caring for his little sister as
he searches for his estranged mother, Sandrine (McElhone), briefly meeting Joe
Strummer (Meyers) in his quest. 

Learning
how to drive with the help if Vivian, he takes on piloting his father’s cab (in
a very unique way) where a second chance meeting with Joe Strummer that changes
his life. 

Borte
directs a film where you lose yourself in the story and its characters. It’s a
marvelous, rewarding adventure in the vein of Quadrophenia and That’ll Be the
Day. Every actor is outstanding in their performance especially Meyers as
Strummer who does his own singing and is so impressive, it’s as if Meyers was
Strummer’s long lost twin.

Huttlestone
is fantastic as Shay who starts off as a quiet kid that grows up especially in
his relationship with Vivian and his mother, Sandrine; a free spirit who lacks
responsibility living with an eclectic group in an abandoned house while
attempting to pursue her failed singing career.

Borte
does and excellent job capturing the feel and look of Soho in the 70’s that
sets the mood of the film.

For
any fan of the Clash or great film making; this is a movie not to be missed.

LONDON TOWN / DIRECTOR: DERRICK BORTE / SCREENPLAY: KIRSTEN SHERIDAN / STARRING: JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS, NATASCHA MCELHONE, DOUGRAY SCOTT, TOM HUGHES, DANIEL HUTTLESTONE