Noel Clarke wrote and starred in the 2005 Kidulthood, about the violent lives of West London teenagers, and now takes a directing role too for this sequel, which follows his character Sam after he leaves prison. "Kidulthood was a bit of a phenomenon, which is why we got to do a follow-up," he reflects. "Not many British films get a sequel. I can only think of Bridget Jones, Mr Bean and 28 Days Later. But Kidulthood struck a chord with the audience because it was authentic." Clarke cites Kids as a major influence. "There were never any British films that made a mark on me when I was growing up. Kids was an honest portrait of teenagers having sex, hanging out, talking rubbish, getting into scraps. My media studies teacher brought it in to show us, and afterwards we all went out to get our own copies. I think Kidulthood connected with young audiences for the same reason: blockbusters are fine, but you need to see real life reflected on screen too."
It could be argued that films such as Adulthood and Kidulthood are produced so that individuals can relate to it and have some sort of sense of meaning in life rather than looking for an influence to commit crime.
"Adulthood" has been a box office hit, taking over £1Million in the first weekend. However it opened to some very scathing reviews. Some critics question why has it been such a success and why do people actually like it? Perhaps it is because many of the film critics don't relate to this subject matter whereas for the younger generation "Adulthood" is exactly the type of film they want to see. "Adulthood" is a hard-hitting film, which portrays how a young man, Sam, copes on his first day out of prison, after serving a sentence for murdering a fellow man, Trife. Many people want revenge, and he has to face his demons as people express their anger at what he did and Trife's friends hunt him down. But Sam has had much time to think in prison, enduring tough men and tough conditions, so he is now stronger and wiser and able to use his street experience and wisdom to stem the flow of violence. The film is fast paced, exciting and full of action with a pumping sound track. The cinematography and editing is tight and polished, without being perfect. But it's not about perfection. The subject matter is definitely not about perfection - it is rough! Noel Clarke is a new breed of filmmaker, who uses his experience in life, although apparently "Adulthood" is not autobiographical, to create strong, realistic characters in a scenario which is also realistic and compelling. The film manages to convey life on the streets for many of our young people and how easy it is for one to fall into serious crime. Some reviewers have criticised the film for relying on 'stereotypes', being a 'monotonous portrait of West London depravity in which brutal beatings, muggings, drug dealing and daylight robbery are a way of life'. But, unfortunately, this is the way of life for many youngsters today. Some people may consider the plot exaggerated and sensationalised, but many young people will recognise that these situations happen all the time in many difefrent parts of London. We indeed know about the increasing violence and stabbings in British cities today. Noel Clarke manages to convey Sam as being a character who is able to handle himself on the street and can engage in this type of violence but now realises it is no good and wants it to stop. If this film can encourage other youngsters to pull away from violence then "Adulthood" will be achieving more than just being an entertaining, urban film. Perhaps, this is why "Adulthood" has been such a success - it connects with a large percentage of the cinema going audience, in a way that few British films can. Perhaps, we need to recognise that there is an audience out there that doesn't relate to quirky British humour, period drama, or sci-fi. Noel Clarke is one of the few writers/directors who has recognised this. "Adulthood" is hip, raw and honest in a way that so much of our media these days is not.
Even though Adulthood got ore praise Kidulthood had its detractors, who suggested that it glamorised violence and “happy slapping”. The only criticism that still riles Clarke came, he says, from a Daily Mail writer.
“He said that it was unrealistic and ‘pandered to middle-class voyeurism’,” he says. “So does that mean middle-class people shouldn’t watch the news, about people suffering, because it’s voyeurism? But the truth of the matter is this,” he says, leaning forward. “I used to work at a gym in Kensington, and I was this guy’s [the writer’s] gym instructor. I literally used to wipe his sweat off the machines, but eight years later, I was making films and he was in the same job.”
Some people argue that films like these portray real life experiences and their aim is to teach individuals hat to do n situations like these. Noel Clarke commented “I think the reason these things happen between young people is there’s a sort of pride. No one wants to get a slap in the face, and go, ‘OK, I’m going to walk away from this,’” he says. “These films aren’t just about violence, they’re about actions and consequences, and how if you do things at a certain age, they can come back to haunt you.”
Noel Clarke proves his point to The Times when asked that his idea was to make a film to teach people about his actions and what is right and wrong and that it is alright to lose your pride in order to keep your life. Therefore it could be argued that in a way some Street Crime films to an extent teach individuals about crime which should lower the crime rates.
It said by critics that Adulthood is the sort of film which will make you walk hastily to the other side of the street when you see a group of youths in your way. And since it reflects the teenage gang violence recently in the headlines, Adulthood would seem to encourage every hidden fear we have without suggesting any comfortable answers.
Link: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/film/film-23344193-details/Adulthood/filmReview.do?reviewId=23496615
