Excellent but underrated film

Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

In December 1998 young independent film maker Shane Meadows, soon to turn 26, began filming on this dramatised semi-autobiographical feature. Many years on Meadows is now considered one of the foremost artists of British independent cinema - largely a credit to 'This is England', the project which took so much out of the creator that he felt it necessary to check into a clinic to recuperate prior to it's release. The 2006 film, which was a critical and award winning success, was a development of the themes, characters and style introduced here in 'A Room for Romeo Brass'.Through an endearing prologue starring a bag of chips we are introduced to Romeo (Andrew Shim) and his best friend 'Knocks' (Ben Marshall), two midlands boys on the verge of adolescence, representative of a young Meadows and his co-writer, Paul Fraser. The boys have come through tarnished early years together and they share a bond which grants each the confidence to act older than the children that they are. Confidence verges on cockiness with Knocks and leads the pair into a park scuffle with two older lads. Morell (Paddy Considine), a chance bystander, is drawn into the fold as the hero who defends the young duo and breaks up the fight. Morell is 'overcome with love' when he meets Romeo's sister Ladine (Vicky McClure, who would later play Shim's love interest 'Lol' in the 'This is England' film and series). Learning no lesson from the park episode, Knocks plays a prank to make Morell look the fool in front of Ladine. Morell immediately pursues his love and the audience laughs along as he is branded a 'gizoid' by Ladine. It is not long though before the laughing stops, as Knocks is left alone for just a few moments with Morell's darker side.The gripping layered performance of Morell by Considine makes it difficult to believe that this was the actor's first movie role. A number of collaborations with Meadows followed and undoubtedly inspired his own award winning directorial debut in 2011, the beautifully gritty 'Tyrannosaur'. Considine is one in a cast of hot picks by Meadows. The depth of every individual shines through in a real testament to the actors but also to the script from the master of British characters. The most enjoyable aspect of this film is that you are watching real people in real situations, presented in a way that highlights familiar faults and flaws. Meadows is better than black and white packaging of good and bad. Here a hero quickly becomes a villain and in turn a villain becomes a hero but there is no naive suggestion that these transitions are final. Just as in 'This is England' we learnt that the Combo's behaviour is beyond his control, here we pity Morall, psychologically scarred by frequent beatings from his father and by being left all alone following his later death from illness.The foundations for the later masterpiece are set out: A young male protagonist, a reflection of Meadows' memory, projects a tough guy persona as a defense mechanism formed to overcome the lack of a present father. He falls in with an emotionally damaged substitute father figure and previously strong friendships are pushed to the limits. Disturbing physical violence is witnessed first hand before finishing with a calm bedroom chat with Mum to set us on the right track again. Where 'This is England' has the edge is in the natural development of these elements, the horror factor of the racism theme and the greatly enhanced production quality.

Best film and best quotes from any film I've ever seen, Acting outstanding. Inspired. Could watch this film over and over again. Paddy Considine at his best Shane Meadows is our generations leading writer and director in the dark and the sublime. 'Touch it' is such a great scene and is brilliantly acted. This film seems to have kick started some brilliant actors careers including Andrew Shim, Paddy and Vicky. If you like this then you'll definitely love This is England, Dead Mans Shoes and Le Donk and Scorzayzee. Also, if you've got nothing to do one evening watch all of the shorts that are on YouTube including the man with no name. Absolutely genius.

just sitting here watching this and ...wow...Paddy Considine what a great job he does starts of all nice and shy then starts to turn....and man does he turn .....mind you ....whats up with the dad (bill) ...wheres ya balls ....I do like the way Paddy delivers his performance on this on e and think i will try and find out more about his work! This movie is sure worth a look ! the two boys do a delightful job of keeping the flow of the movie even an appearance by bob hoskins is interesting to see. I'm sitting here watching it and wondering if Paddy is going to make a final comeback after getting his beans ...watching with antisipation

Shane Meadows bleak and distinctive debut, 'TwentyFour Seven', attracted well-deserved attention for being poetically shot in black and white, and for starring Bob Hoskins. Hoskins reappears in a minor role in his second film, the criminally ignored 'A Room for Romeo Brass', another portrait of life among the poor of Nottingham. This movie is much funnier than its predecessor, with hilarious dialogue complemented by photography that makes both the suburbs and their flat surrounding countryside appear desolate but beautiful, and a haunting (but not overbearing) folk-rock soundtrack, featuring (among others) cult band Sunhouse. But a layer of darkness lies close below the surface. Paddy Considine made his name as weirdo loser Morell, a character the film treats with sympathy even though he is evidently a danger to its child heroes: a welcome contrast to the Hollywood world where oddballs are either really all right (and actually not that odd), or pure evil. But there are also great performances from (among others) as Andrew Shim as Romeo, Vivky McClure as his sister and James Higgins as his friend's useless dad. What really stands out in this super film are the odd, unglorified moments that completely shift one's perception of what is going on; such as the first indications of Morell's manipulativeness; the moment when Romeo, not usually the most adult of teenagers, grows instantaneously into the role of man of the house on the reappearance of his own, unwanted father; and, near the end, when his friend's dad, who until this point has appeared a man of no qualities whatsoever, offers himself as sacrifice in order to protect the boys. The stunning combination of human weakness and courage revealed in that moment is truly profound. Meadows, meanwhile, is truly a genius. Watch this film.