A group of outsiders and misfits find each other -- with mixed results -- in this comic drama. Romeo (Andrew Shim) and Gavin (Ben Marshall) are neighbors in a working-class neighborhood in Nottingham. Romeo is a short, stocky, but tough black kid who's about 13; he lives with his no-nonsense mother Carol (Ladene Hall) and older sister Ladine (Vicky McClure) after the departure of abusive husband and father Joe (Frank Harper). Gavin is the same age, but he is taller, thinner, and walks with a bit of a limp; he's an only child who lives with his overprotective mom (Julia Ford) and weak-willed father (James Higgins). The boys make friends with a strange local character named Morell (
Paddy Considine), who helps them in a fight with other boys and has an eye for Ladine. After Gavin plays a prank on Morell, he flies into a rage and cuts all ties with Gavin. When Romeo, however, finds that Morell has nowhere to stay, he offers him a room in his house, partly for friendship and partly in hopes it will keep his father away. The more Romeo hangs out with Morell, the less he sees his old friend Gavin (who is recuperating from surgery on his leg), but when Ladine loses interest in Morell, he becomes increasingly unstable until finally he finally erupts in violence.
Bob Hoskins makes a cameo appearance as Gavin's tutor, while director
Shane Meadows plays a fish and chips salesman. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide