greenray1

AN HONEST and personal review from me here about this outstanding film. I saw the film on the first night it came out in London which included a live link up with the film director (Steve McQueen) and script writer (Abi Morgan) afterwards. I personally resonated and understood what Brandon was going through to a degree and it struck a chord within me. The film is so accurate down to every detail. What scared me was the level you could actually get to in all of this and just how "lost" you could find yourself and how out of hand it becomes. The need for Brandon's next "fix" and the desperation to get it any place anyhow - be it with a stranger, a hooker or by other means. I think anyone who feels they are close to problems in this area will benefit from seeing this film as well as others to grasp an understanding of a little talked about addiction. I too, as Brandon does in the film, find it easier to have relationships which do not involve intimacy and the complexities of "normal" relationships. This is both a SHAME as well as me feeling SHAME because of it. I saw the main character in the film as someone I do not want to become. There are many different takes on the possible previous (unhealthy) relationship between Brandon and his sister and the Director and writer would not give anything away here even after the film. It leaves us, as the viewer, to piece together what his past may have held with Sissy. We are reminded here with the film SHAME as in so many Ken Loach films for those of you that know him as a Director - just how awful and powerful addiction is, whatever form it takes. The battle is on for many of us to win and I hope that we can.

I really have to write a review about this great French thriller. Firstly, although not a French Language expert, the original title which means roughly - THE MAN WHO WANTED TO CHANGE HIS LIFE - is much more appropriate than THE BIG PICTURE. Although the circumstances that lead the main character to change his life for something that he should have done years ago were quite shocking, it resonated with me and I am sure so many others. How many of us have not pursued what we were really good at and traded ourselves in to the banal life of the office, security of the pension and benefits etc. etc. The list goes on. If you can watch this film twice then do as you will appreciate it even more. The acting is very good. The ending may confuse some and I have not ticked the spoiler box so will not give anything away. After leaving the auditorium you will piece it together though. Overall an excellent film. The main actor was great in Heartbreaker and the same here with THE BIG PICTURE.

Like zanderd69 from Scotland I feel compelled to writing my first IMDb review with this superb film and to give it 10/10. I had to travel into London to watch it as it was not playing at my local cinema. It is classed as "special interest" meaning less UK screenings sadly. Watch out in the future for Conor McCarron who plays young John McGill, the bright schoolboy who has so much hope ahead of him as he leaves primary school. He is a top performer, only to be sucked into the violence of 1970's Glasgow which is shown graphically. It is hard to watch sometimes but very accurate. I found myself really sympathising with the lead actor (I rarely do this). He really was on his own in so many ways in this film and bravely took (in his own mind) the whole world on. The film has lots of twists and turns. I want to talk about the ending which I have strong theories on, but that would mean ticking spoiler alert which I do not want to do. So many wonderful young amateur actors in this film. Look out too for Steven Robertson, who play the teacher Mr Bonetti. He is pure class. Top marks to Director Peter Mullan and all who took part in this wonderful "real" & "no holding back" film of a time in Glasgow's history which is not known about by many outside of the area.