Starred Up (2013) User Reviews (112)

Brutal and Brilliant

[tyse1 · 8/10 · 21 March 2014]

For a film that seemed to come out of nowhere, with a limited advertisement campaign and small budget, Starred Up has proved to be one of the more ballsy pictures released in some time - and with a UK release date sandwiched between two major blockbuster sequels, it had to do something to stand out from the crowd.

The main attribute of the film is its acting, most notably central character Jack O'Connell; a career-best performance from our lead protagonist serves as the driving force of the film, immersing the audience so much in the drama of it all that we can't believe we're feeling sorry for the prick we thought we knew in the opening stages.

However we all know that good acting doesn't necessarily constitute a good film; but placing such talent in the hands of David Mackenzie and providing a gripping (albeit unoriginal) story line is a damn good combination.

Despite the many positives, where this film fails is in the variety of on-screen shenanigans. Although it does slowly progress, the day-to-day life on the inside seems repetitive and predictable, particularly when the overall message is all too familiar and practically clichéd.

All in all however, Starred Up is one of the best prison dramas in a long time, and probably the best British film this year. Not for the faint-hearted, this superbly acted drama will scare you into following the law to the strictest command.

Hard-hitting...and then some!

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 23 April 2016]

STARRED UP is another modern-day prison flick, this time a British one. Before everybody starts groaning and thinking "what, again?!", let me reassure you that this one's not sugar-coated at all. There's no sentiment here, just brutality throughout, and yet it becomes an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Even with all the violence and bad language and animalistic behaviour, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.

The film features Jack O'Connell ('71) in a star-making performance as a disturbed young man who has just been transferred (aka starred up) to men's prison from juvenile. To complicate things further, his own father is an inmate, and the two have a volatile relationship. I've seen the Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn before in a few Hollywood flicks and didn't think much of him, but he's a perfect fit for the part here.

A lot of the usual prison clichés are played out here, but they happen in a matter-of-fact and dare I say it grimly realistic way. The violence is brutal but not overdone, and it does serve a purpose rather than being gratuitous. And the realism is top-notch, reminding me of the BRONSON film at times. Despite all this writer Jonathan Asser manages to tell a believable storyline with an identifiable beginning, middle, and end. It's a good little film, although not for all tastes given the subject matter.

The best UK film of 2014

[estebangonzalez10 · 8/10 · 10 January 2015]

"Starred Up means you're leader."

Starred Up is unquestionably the best UK film of the year. It's no surprise because the best prison dramas that have come out over recent years come from Europe (think Bronson, Hunger, and A Prophet). What surprised me the most about Starred Up is that the humanity of these prisoners is never lost. These are guys who do questionable things and constantly have anger issues, but somehow as an audience we are still drawn to them and care for them. It isn't something easy to achieve but thanks to David Mackenzie's solid direction and Jonathan Asser's brilliant and realistic script we get an authentic prison drama with characters we can engage with and are worth investing in. Asser actually based the script on his personal experience when he worked as a voluntary therapist at a prison. It really comes through in the script because you have a sense that he sees these prisoners as actual human beings and not just stereotypical prisoners which we sometimes get from movies. He raises some important issues that most prison movies fail to do so and which concern him. There are two ways we can view prisons: as a place where we can set apart the criminals and keep them away from society or as a place where we send these criminals to be rehabilitated. He firmly believes in the second cause and that is why he includes a voluntary therapist in this film that is trying to rehabilitate some of these prisoners. These are issues that aren't usually raised in films of this genre, but through this authentic portrayal of life behind bars we get a sense of it. That is why Asser is so concerned with humanizing the main character, Eric Love, played brilliantly by Jack O'Connell (Unbroken), who has just been sent to prison after spending years in juvenile institutions for his violent behavior. He's sent to the same prison where his father (played by Ben Mendelsohn) has been spending most of his life. Their hurtful relationship gives us a glimpse of why Eric behaves the way he does and it is ultimately what engages the audience with his character. However my favorite aspect of the film is the relationship he shares with the therapist (Rupert Friend) who is trying to help with his violent nature. The film is gritty and it also has a lot going on with the rest of the prisoners and guards as well. As opposed to what we feel for the prisoners, the guards don't really view their humanity. Starred Up succeeds as an authentic portrayal inside a prison.

This is only the second time I have seen a film directed by David Mackenzie and he is back on my radar now. I had seen Spread, starring Ashton Kutcher, and I really disliked that movie. This film felt like it was directed by a completely different person. A lot of the credit has to be given to the screenwriter for writing such a compelling prison drama with scenes that you are completely invested in and have you at the edge of your seat. But of course one can't leave out the brilliant performance from Jack O'Connell who delivers one of the most memorable prisoner characters I've seen. His physical performance is just inspiring. There are a number of secondary characters that will also be remembered. Ben Mendelsohn as Eric's father is great and so is Friend as the therapist. I enjoyed many of the interactions Eric had with them and with some of his inmates. There are several things going on as we sort of get a slice of life of these prisoners life. I may have been describing this film mostly as a drama, but believe me there are several moments of incredible tension and gritty violence. It balances these themes very well and makes for a compelling watch.

A Raw, Evocative & Hard-Hitting British Prison Drama!

[CinemaClown · 6 September 2015]

Brutal, unflinching & downright intense, Starred Up tells the story of a young convict who's transferred to adult prison due to his extremely violent behaviour where he meets his father after a long time. The plot follows the harshness of imprisoned life and covers his journey as his father attempts to get him to settle down so that he can go through therapy.

Directed by David Mackenzie, Starred Up takes a no-holds-barred approach to brings its violent tale to life and retains its viciousness throughout its runtime. The script keeps the focus on its lead character who is unable to keep his rage in control and through him, the plot captures not only the menacing life behind bars but the devastating effects of violent upbringing as well.

Production design team manages to recreate the grim atmosphere of prison, Camera-work is carried out in a controlled manner although it misses out on encapsulating the picture with a claustrophobic ambiance, Editing is brilliant for it never cuts up too quick and effectively sustains the build-up tension, Music is virtually absent, yet the strongest aspect of Starred Up is its performances.

The cast comprises of Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn & Rupert Friend, with all of them chipping in with strong work. O'Connell is an absolute revelation for the way he expresses his stuffed-up emotions & sudden burst of anger is utterly convincing, Plus, he effortlessly makes us believe that his character is be a byproduct of a childhood filled with trauma & abuse, and that he's not a bad person per se.

On an overall scale, Starred Up is a highly engaging, relentlessly aggressive & unforgiving British prison drama that benefits from Mackenzie's terrific direction & O'Connell's winning performance, offers an interesting take on father-son dynamics set in a brutal environment, and has much to say about people guarding the prison as it ends up saying about the prisoners behind bars. A raw, evocative & hard-hitting flick, Starred Up comes thoroughly recommended.

Well made but think twice about this one...

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 29 July 2014]

As I said above, think twice before going to see "Starred Up". I don't say this because it's a bad film--it is very well made in fact. However, it's one of the most violent and grim prison films you can find and it's likely to make many folks depressed watching it. Because it strives for realism, it is incredibly vicious, there's some full-frontal nudity and the language is truly prison-like! So, don't let your kids watch it* and think twice before you watch it as well. If you think you're up to it, the movie is worth seeing.

When the film begins, Eric (Jack O'Connell) is being processed in to prison. Exactly what he did to get there isn't ever clear--all you know is that he did some pretty bad things. However, after calmly walking through this, it's soon obvious that Eric is NOT your typical prisoner. It's not because he's so young--prison is full of young punks. However, he's so violent that even most of the prisoners are soon afraid of him. He is a boiling cauldron of rage and hate--and almost everything seems to set him off. Now you'd assume that such a nasty character would soon get himself killed, but Eric is so mean that he seems destined to possibly survive incarceration. However, a few of the old-timers are NOT pleased and it's all a matter of time until he's dead. But there is an interesting trump card--one of the old timers who practically runs the place turns out to be Eric's father. What's next? See the film.

My biggest problem with watching this film isn't the violence or language. A long time ago, in my therapist days, I worked with the prison population so I wasn't really shocked by all this nastiness. No, my biggest problem were the accents. I am a bit hard of hearing (my oldest daughter attributes this to be being 'an old fart'!) and I sure would have loved some captions. Perhaps when it's released to DVD this will be an option.

Aside from this, the film is well made and represents prisoners pretty well. It's sure a grim lot and I could understand folks not wanting to watch nearly two hours of such hate and anger--but this is how many folks behave inside prisons. So, if you're looking for realism, you sure have it with this film. And, although Eric is not a huge guy, Jack O'Connell does a good job playing this menacing, violent and incredibly dangerous young man. So, my verdict is that this is a very well made film....but one that probably won't have a lot of folks wanting to line up and see it. It is NOT a nice little story like "The Shawshank Redemption" but is ugly, raw and powerful.

*I normally would not recommend a film like this to kids. However, perhaps young hoodlums would do well to see what prison is like unless they decide to make some life changes.

A generally fine effort that brings the brutal world of Brit prisons into the 21st century

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 9/10 · 26 March 2014]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Eric Love (Jack O'Connoll) is a couple of years younger than necessary to be transferred from a young offender's institution to an adult prison, but due to his explosively violent nature, a rare exception has been made. He seems under control, until he is disturbed while sleeping by another inmate and ferociously over-reacts. After trying and failing to talk his way out of the situation, his inflamed, anti-authoritarian streak bursts to life and he proves tricky for Governor Hayes (Sam Spruell) and his staff to deal with. From here, he encounters two people who may be the key to turning him round: dedicated social worker Oliver (Rupert Friend) and Neville (Ben Mendolsohn) the equally violent head of the wing...who also happens to be his dad.

While the harsh reality of prison life is rarely glossed over in any sort of filmed medium, save for maybe Ronnie Barker's hit sitcom Porridge, since the late '70's nothing quite like Alan Clarke's Scum has come close to matching the gritty brutality and hopelessness of prison life, leaving it a genre just begging to be dragged in to the 21st century with a fresh injection of raw adrenaline. The opening half of David Mackenzie's film seems to rely on atmosphere rather than exposition, with a dialogue light opening half as the lead protagonist is lead to his cell, and made to go through the various rituals and indignities on his way there until the door is locked shut. When O'Connoll first speaks (in a cockney accent!) it's with the prison lingo that will make no sense to those who don't know it, and from there on in he frequently opens his mouth with savage ferocity and intense profanity.

Starred Up is hailed as O'Connoll's 'break through' film, and there's no doubt he's running the show here, firmly commanding his presence as the explosive thug with raging personal issues blaring inside him, in a role that he's got form with and suits well. It's the closest thing he may well have in making him a household name, or at least getting a cult following among some. There are strong supporting turns also from Friend as the impassioned social worker and Mendolsohn as the closest thing to an authority figure O'Connoll will be made to respect. It's a film driven more by the nature of his respective relationships with these two men, and as such it feels more about these human dynamics rather than the story, which by the end has lost it's coherence a bit and loses your attention, despite the ensuing events still holding your attention for other reasons.

Still, sometimes, a film needs to come along that hits you like a punch in the dark, and Starred Up fits the bill perfectly, a brutal, unflinching expose of a world most of us probably don't want to imagine, a little flawed, but mostly solid. ****

The tough and violent world of a British prison

[freemantle_uk · 7/10 · 24 March 2014]

The prison sub-genre has produced many great films over the years, giving us the likes of The Shawshank Redemption, Hunger and Escape from Alcatraz. The critically acclaimed British movie Starred Up from Perfect Sense director David Mackenzie hopes to join their ranks.

Eric Love (Jack O'Connell) is a 19-year-old sent to adult prison two years early because he is known as 'starred up', a very violent offender. On his first day in prison, Eric manages to make a weapon, knocks out a fellow prisoner which causes a lock-down and fights the prison guards leading to him biting one of them in the testicles. Despite his violent behaviour, a prison volunteer, Oliver (Rupert Friend) offers to have Eric in his anger management group and help him change his behaviour. Nev (Ben Mendelsohn), Eric's father and fellow prisoner is forced to try and take his son under his wing, partly to protect him being killed by the crime boss of the prison, Spencer (Peter Ferdinando), because lock-downs disrupt business. But as Eric starts to manage his anger, he finds mentors from other prisoners, putting his father out of place as he tries to be the man he is meant to be.

Starred Up is a harsh look at the British prison system and tells an unconventional father and son relationship. Mackenzie uses hand-held cinematography, using sequences that are long takes and gives Starred Up a fly-on-the-wall feel, whether it was following Eric in the prison or simply watching Eric grow in the group sessions and control his anger. Mackenzie shows the violence as prisoners fight, stab and make weapons. He gives us some strong fighting sequences, such as Eric's first fight and a fight in a shower. There are plenty of elements that would remind people of other prison movies like Scum, A Prophet and Bronson, sharing visual cues when the camera follows Eric, makes his weapon and how he prepares for fights.

At times, Starred Up plays a little like a British version of the excellent HBO show Oz, taking a look at various factions in the prison. There are various criminal forces with their own angles, the personal vendettas between the prisoners and internal politics between prisoners and within the prison staff. There are debates within the prison staff, as they decide what is the best course with dealing with Eric. Oliver is made out to be a hopeful man who actually wants to reform prisoners, give them hope and elaborates on what is the point of prison, rehabilitation or punishment? This is an issue that has been debated in Britain since the end of the 18th century.

A key part of Starred Up is the relationship between Eric and Nev, both excellently played by O'Connell and Mendelsohn as they learn to actually become father and son. Nev has only one setting when dealing with Eric, aggression and shouting, believing he needs to be tough with Eric to get the message across. Yet, Nev states that Eric has a chance of getting released from prison and should play the system, just so he can get out. In prison, Eric finds other mentors in the form of Oliver and two other prisoners, Tyrone (David Ajala) and Hassan (Anthony Welsh) who wishes to usurp Nev's role.

Eric gets glimpses at what could be his future could be because of the different prisoners he is with. He could end up like his father, a violent lifer, a leading crime lord in prison or be like Tyrone (David Ajala) and Hassan (Anthony Welsh) and actually turn his life around.

Starred Up is a very macho film, filled with fighting, violence, male posturing and liberal uses of the f and c words as Mackenzie shows this very brutal, violent world. The only prominent female character is one of the Governors played by Sian Breckin and she is only a small role who appears in a few scenes. The female prison guards that appear in the movie are really speaking extras.

Mackenzie has shown himself to be a director who can get strong performances from his actors, such in his previous movie Perfect Sense. He again provides a strong work, through his hiring of a strong cast of respected actors. O'Connell gives a deliberately ambiguous performance as he is hard to read: he is a character that is anti-authority and willing to use his fists: but has some morals and ethics even in prison. Friend is very good in his role as Oliver, but he is made out to be a very nervous and timid character and even though he is a good natured character those traits for someone working with violent offenders.

Starred Up keeps to a British tradition of violent, kitchen sink realism, while the writer Jonathan Asser wants to tell a personal story. It is a brutal movie that makes sure that prison is a terrifying environment and fans of Scum and Oz should enjoy Starred Up.

Please visit www.entertainmentfuse.com

A window into the reality that is British society.

[JohnLamberio · 9/10 · 22 July 2014]

Firstly, this is not an uplifting or feel good film, nor was it ever intended to be. If you like your film gritty and pulsatingly realistic, you'd be going back years to find a film that stands up to this.

From the outset, it is clear our young protagonist is fighting not just for survival within a hardened prison wing, but also demons that reside within. Hope is offered in the shape of a freelancing counsellor, which is initially met with disdain during a group meeting. The film then continues to show(graphically), the complex arrangements within the prison walls, and how relationships can often start badly, but develop into a more meaningful co-existence ad friendship because of it.

The usual bad prison warden is on offer too, but is done so delectably well. The anger the viewer feels at certain points in this film is palpable from the sheer heartlessness of the authorities. Prisoner's are not viewed with any great sense of humanity, dependant on stature within the the Prison of course. The unfairness of it all had me wanting to wring the neck of certain characters, all due to the powerlessness of the our protagonists position.

Does the young charger hold back? Never. Like a bull ramming it's horns against an immovable wall, he keeps the pressure on inmates and authorities alike. It's a ferocious watch, and superbly realised by Jack O'Connell playing Eric, a star in the making for certain.

Terrific acting, superb directing, eye-watering set pieces and an emotive experience of life on the inside. Simply does not get better. 10/10

Brutal Prison Drama

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 3 January 2015]

The unsociable and brutal nineteen year old Eric Love (Jack O'Connell) is transferred from an young offender institution to an adult prison because of his violence. On the arrival, the voluntary therapist Oliver Baumer (Rupert Friend) invites Eric to participate in his group of therapy. However Eric meets his missing father Neville Love (Ben Mendelsohn) that is the henchman of the prison leader Dennis Spencer (Peter Ferdinando). Neville tries to control Eric and affects his participation in the therapy. Meanwhile the Deputy Governor Hayes (Sam Spruell) does not believe in Baumer's treatment and gives one chance only to Eric to improve his behavior.

The title "Starred Up", for people not native in English like me, describes the early transfer of a criminal from a young offender institution to an adult prison. The story is written by Jonathan Asser and is based on his experiences working as voluntary therapist at the largest adult prison in the UK in South West London in England. The plot follows the teenager Eric Love and is cruel and realistic, and may be consider a sociological study. The direction and performances are impressive, giving the sensation of a documentary and with no corny redemption. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Encarcerados" ("Imprisoned")

most up to date and realistic prison film since "Scum"

[jasonedwar · 8/10 · 25 July 2014]

don't know who made this film... just watched it last night...Was far better than i expected... No holds barred. Research has clearly been done well. acting was very good by all, especially the kid. surprised i haven't seen these people before. the violence depicted is brutal but accurate as an everyday occurrence in uk jails. even the methods used in applying that violence and the slang language are all about right. The only other film i can compare it to is "Bronson".. as thats the only other prison film i have seen recently. i would say bronson portrays dramatisation and artistic licence,, also i didn't find bronson to be consistent with the storyline....starred up is none of those,,,,the storyline is extremely consistent.. the only gripe i have with this film is that several obvious questions were left unanswered at the end. doesn't spoil the film though

Like father like son.

[sqned · 7/10 · 19 August 2014]

Like father like son. A captivating yet at times hardly believable drama which evolves around emotional development of a troubled young lad. We follow him as he gets prematurely transferred from juvenile prison to what seems like an open prison for adults, where he bullies jailers and inmates even though he's the youngest. It is captivating because of the dynamics and pace of the film, good casting, especially O'Connell's perfect portrayal of an angry young man, who accidentally turns on a downward spiral of events, as well as for realistic insight into British prison. It is also hardly believable - a funny thing is that this realism praised in reviews looks rather suspicious at a first glance, especially to eastern Europeans, I suppose. How much freedom do convicts in British prisons have and how scarcely jailers use force is alerting. This striking disproportion may be good for the viewers since it makes the film more cool and drastic, but it doesn't look as though it was good for those doing time.

This movie is great!! Jack O'Connell is an amazing actor!

[SummerMaru · 10/10 · 12 October 2014]

I'm not a big fan of prison movies but wanted to see this because Jack O'Connell was in it. There might be spoilers - not big ones. Jack O'Connell's performance was amazing. Even a friend of mine who hated him in "Tower Block" agreed. Aside from some normal prison behavior that's to be expected, Rupert Friend's character, Baumer, runs an anger management group. I really liked the way Baumer stood up for Eric (O'Connell) and gave him a chance to help himself. There's a lot of tension in the prison, considering Eric's father, Neville, had been there for years already and seems to be second in charge among the prisoners. Neville is jealous of how Eric was able to gets along with a few other inmates so fast without his help.

Only a few minutes into the movie and action starts. I don't know how anyone could have been bored. It has a really good storyline included in the prison theme. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. I've watched it almost 5 times already (and not because of the nudity).

One of the best parts is near the beginning, when the warden asks Eric if he would agree to going to the anger group and his response is the best! It shows how smart he is. One line is similar to, 'if everyone gets a chance to reform, you'll be out of a job'. I liked that because it's so true.

Little new, but entertaining for what it is

[euroGary · 6/10 · 25 October 2013]

I ticked the 'spoilers' box, but for some reason it doesn't seem to have taken, so...

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

'Starred Up' tells the story of Eric (played by 'Skins' alumni Jack O'Connell) whose criminality is so habitual he is 'starred up' from his young offenders institution to adult prison two years earlier than his nineteen years would normally allow. Once in big-boy prison he discovers one of the other inmates is his father, Neville (played by Ben Mendelsohn, an Australian who gamely attempts an estuary English accent - but surely it would have been easier to have hired an English actor?) Aussie Nev is prompted to find some shred of paternal responsibility and tries to encourage his son not to rock the boat, but Eric isn't so easy to control...

All your favourite prison film stereotypes are here: the corrupt guards, the prisoner who *really* runs things, the lily-livered liberal who believes everyone has some good inside them, etc etc. O'Connell's fans will be pleased by his frequent shirtless scenes (not to mention his full-frontal shots), but the role doesn't stretch his acting muscles: he's required to portray only angry, or slightly less angry. But he doesn't disgrace himself. Some plot threads are left dangling at the end (eg: we are not told if the guards who tried to kill Eric faced any punishment) and if all the swear words had been excised from the script the film would have been half the length! But overall I enjoyed this, although it's probably not the kind of film to see if you want cheering up...

Ran out of steam quickly.

[rocknrelics · 4/10 · 27 November 2021]

I thought this started off well, but soon became uninteresting, and there wasn't one character to root for, they were all utterly dreadful people, and you were glad they were all in prison.

I've seen some people saying it's the best UK prison movie, but I'd say Scum was far better (OK, technically not a prison, but about detention), this just didn't convince me, and like I say, I just didn't care about what happened anyone in the film.

Very disappointing.

Don't mess with Eric

[Laakbaar · 8/10 · 25 May 2014]

This is a grittily realistic British prison drama about a young, arrogant and uncontrollable thug who is transferred to the adult prison where his father is also incarcerated for life. He immediately establishes his credentials as a violent psycho not to be messed with. (I kept expecting the cliché scene of the new guy getting hazed -- or worse -- by the current inmates, but that is not what happens to Eric at all.) Eric is a force of nature. The other inmates are now in his world.

After a while, pretty well everyone is negatively affected in some way because of his arrival and actions, including his father and others trying to help him; however, the important question in the narrative apparently is whether he will have a reconciliation with his equally messed-up father.

This sometimes shocking movie provides us a fascinating insight into a hidden, bleak world none of us will ever experience (assuming the best of IMDb readers). For most of us, it is as alien as Avatar. If this movie is to be believed, UK prisons are primitive places -- except for the gloriously articulate streams of chav profanity, which were like Shakespearean curses. UK prisons are apparently more like US prisons than Dutch or Scandinavian prisons.

Strangely, I felt sympathy for Eric, even at his most animalistic. It helps that he had this youthful face. You can only wonder what kind of childhood would have produced such rage and violence. But Eric is no victim. Quite the contrary. At the age of 10, he melted the face off of a pedophile who had picked the wrong boy.

It was nice to see a movie that relies on an extreme setting, interesting story, fine writing and good acting. It almost felt like a fly-on-the wall documentary. Like many British movies, you get the feeling that the actors are really the characters. Despite its content, this was actually an intelligent and nuanced movie.

Fortunately, there were Dutch subtitles at my viewing because much of the dialogue was difficult to understand.

Also, although this is a bloody movie, no gory scene truly disturbed me, and I am squeamish when it comes to that.

I'm giving it an 8 rather than a 9 because of the film's downbeat tone. British movie makers have a disturbing way of trying to get you to care about lowlife. This film is so NOT Hollywood. In the Hollywood version, Oliver would have succeeded in rehabilitating Eric. In this very British movie, we are left to wonder what the hell happened to Oliver. I suppose the underlying message here is that therapy and rehabilitation are just not possible for someone like Eric, even by someone like Oliver. With him, you're just pissing against the wind.

The brutality of prison life

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 15 September 2017]

Having loved David Mackenzie's latest film 2016's 'Hell or High Water' and being recommended another critically acclaimed film 'Starred Up', via reviews for 'Hell or High Water' praising some of Mackenzie's previous work, 'Starred Up' fascinated me from the get go and didn't disappoint.

It is a near-instant classic, though its hard-hitting and brutally violent nature won't appeal to everybody, and British prison drama doesn't get much better than 'Starred Up'. What seems familiar, and it doesn't exactly tread new ground, avoids being clichéd. To me, the only thing that doesn't quite work is that some of the prison justice elements is a little overcooked. Otherwise, 'Starred Up' is terrific.

'Starred Up' looks stylish and enhances the setting's realistic queasiness and toughness. The music is suitably haunting, without overdoing or underplaying it.

Mackenzie directs with darkly compelling realism and plays a large part in making the father-son relationship so gripping and dynamic, creating an environment so dehumanising and harrowing and delving into the film's sociological tone.

The script is taut, sharp and smart, authentic in its abrasiveness yet with welcome and never misplaced humour and never forced pathos. And life in prison has rarely been depicted with the amount of clarity shown here. The storytelling really hits hard in a gritty and unashamedly uncompromising fashion, develops the remarkably complex characters beautifully and never holds back or take any prisoners, while bleak and violent it's effective in showing prison life's brutality and never trivialising it.

Jack O'Connell's anti-hero is tragically troubled while showing sympathetic and powerful sides, seamlessly commanding the screen in a powerhouse lead performance. His performance is matched brilliantly by the coldly intense one of Ben Mendelssohn. Their complex characters and dynamic chemistry dominate the film and outstandingly. Rupert Friend is just as strong.

Overall, not quite perfect but absolutely wonderful. Just know what you're letting yourself in for. 9/10 Bethany Cox

If you have seen most of Jack O'Connell's work before, then don't expect much different from this.

[Amari-Sali · 7/10 · 26 July 2014]

As noted a few times in my other reviews, when some of the main Skins characters are in something I check it out. But while Kathryn Prescott has seemingly changed things up with her role on Finding Carter, unfortunately both Jack O'Connell and Kaya Scodelario seem to be content playing the same character over and over again. However, with that said, being that O'Connell is quite good at playing a delinquent, does that make up for him being type casted?

Characters & Story

Eric (Jack O'Connell) has just landed himself in prison and with every action and reaction it truly feels you are watching Cook after what happened in Skins: Rise. For between Eric having Cook's temper, daddy issues, and a desire to do as he pleases without taking much note of the consequence, it really does feel like an extension of the Skins universe. Just minus any of the other characters of the series showing up.

Praise

Consider this praise a double-edged sword, for I truly saw this as a Skins spin-off. The good part about that is it quickly gets you into the film because while Eric isn't Cook, they are so similar that this damn near seems like this movie is fan fiction adapted into a movie. And, as always, O'Connell plays a good bad boy who has charm and an uncontrollable amount of attitude. But, he does have a good supporting cast to both reign him in and challenge him. There is his father in the picture Neville (Ben Mendelsohn) who really challenges O'Connell in terms of showing the complexity of a father/son bond in which the dad, Neville, has been away since Eric was a kid. And then there are all the fellow inmates who all lend a hand in trying to support Eric's survival, which is hard since he makes enemies quickly out of the administrators. Especially Deputy Governor Hayes (Sam Spruell) who seems to want the boy's life for embarrassing him on multiple occasions.

Criticism

But, on the other end of that praise comes the fact this prison film doesn't feel like it does anything that great. Not to say it is in anyway bad, but it has everything you expect. Men fighting and using makeshift weapons to hurt each other, an unyielding administrative staff who are more into the idea of using force over talking, and then you got this sympathetic counselor Oliver (Rupert Friend) who comes off as someone who is written in probably to help develop Eric, but in reality he is just the token character in prison movies who is supposed to guide the protagonist as far as they can. Thing is though, the Eric we meet in the beginning and end isn't too different. The only thing that changes is his relationship with his father. And while it is nice to see them talk and try to work their issues, there to me wasn't anything really engaging here which would make you think, "Wow what a performance."

And lastly, for me, as an American used to BBC accents, I found the various mix of accents just so hard to understand without subtitles. To the point I felt I was more assuming what happened than actually knowing. So, if you aren't well adjusted to the various accents of the UK you may have trouble.

Overall: TV Viewing

While I recognize this film has obtained multiple award nominations, and has won some awards, I honestly feel this film is simply adequate. O'Connell continues to play the bad boy with a difficult upbringing who lashes out with violence, and the story doesn't really help you see him as anything but Cook. As for the rest of the cast, honestly between the accents, and their stories not being all that intriguing, I really didn't connect with them or felt invested. So with the only thing worth praising is this feeling like a Cook spin-off, I feel this at best is a "TV Viewing" type film. One which certainly may show how comfortable O'Connell is in these type of roles, but certainly doesn't expand the perception of his ability as an actor. From a viewer's standpoint anyway.

Jack O'Connell is brilliant

[tr91 · 9/10 · 29 December 2014]

Starred up is all about prison life for a youngster who is transfered. The whole film takes place in the prison but it is incredibly gripping thanks to Jack O'Connell's terrific performance. You really get to know his character and feel the emotion that he is going through. Everything is done incredibly well. If you are easily offended by bad language or brutal fighting then do not watch as it is certainly one of the most brutal and shocking films I have seen. Without giving too much away, I highly recommend this film. It goes straight in to my top 10 of 2013. Well done Jack O'Connell.

9/10.

A brutal, violent reality of a prison system you don't want to experience.

[TheSquiss · 6/10 · 12 March 2014]

Starred Up is not, repeat not, for your Aunt Nelly. Not unless you want to witness her rapid demise caused by heart-arresting vocabulary. A large percentage of Jonathan Asser's screenplay consists of two particular four-letter expletives. And then there's the violence. The extreme violence. And the male nudity. Starred Up is bloody, brutal and very unpleasant most of the time. It might well be a powerful drama with some solid performances, but it is not for delicate, elderly relatives or those without a very broad mind and a considerable tolerance level.

Eric is the 'starred up' con in question. Explosively violent, he is transferred to an adult prison, but any thoughts of him mellowing through fear of his hardened, violent peers on the prison wing evaporate before you can shout "riot police." Without compunction or any trace of conscience, Eric attacks at whim. This is one angry caged animal. However, fellow prisoner Neville (Ben Mendelsohn) is having none of it, and he just happens to be Eric's dad.

It is very tempting to elevate Starred Up to seven or eight stars but that's the immediate impact and shock value talking. The morning after, when it has filtered through the brain, I find myself wondering what exactly it was for and what it had to say that hasn't already been said in the likes of Scum (both the 1977 original TV film and the 1979 cinema remake). From the distance of a few hours, it is far easier to recognize the checklist of prison film stereotypes: nice guard, bent guards, violent cons, prisoner elder statesman…

Director David Mackenzie (Hallam Foe, Young Adam) gives nods towards sexual relationships and the black market, and there are more than a few references to the corruption within the system, but none of this is given more than a glance and there are one or two serious incidents left unresolved. However, the focus on Eric, his relationship with his father and the interaction with members of the anger management group he joins and the do-gooder, Oliver (Rupert Friend) are handled well.

Jack O'Connell has cut his teeth on some tough roles in the likes of the superb Eden Lake, This is England and Harry Brown, as well as gaining a following from Skins. He is certainly convincing here as a vicious thug that I would pay very good money to avoid. Certainly there is a character arc here and he approaches it with determination and, though he perhaps doesn't quite convince at the far end of the arc, he makes a fine job of avoiding the pitfalls of obvious character evolution. There might be change in Eric, and he may even learn, but I wouldn't bet a penny on his complete redemption.

Mendelsohn is an actor who crops up frequently in solid, gritty films (The Place Beyond the Pines, Killing Them Softly) and it is his performance as Neville that wheedles its way into one's memory most convincingly. At once recognizable as what the system (here at least) refers to as a 'lost cause', Neville is not merely a brute but a lost man as troubled as his estranged son. Both father and son crave fear and attention, but while Eric has no qualms in achieving it with whatever weapon he has to hand, Neville flounders when it is clear his assumed authority has been usurped. There is little danger of us liking either man but perhaps there is more of Neville in us than we'd care to admit.

Bringing moderation to the violence is Oliver, a volunteer with his own daemons who needs to be amongst the prisoners at least as much as they need to be with him and far more so than the prison officers would like. Trusted by a small segment of the prison population and barely tolerated by the guards, his is a strange existence. We know little of his background or drive and that works perfectly here amongst characters that mostly couldn't give a damn. Next up for Friend is Terry Gilliam's The Zero Theorem, though his 'TV Presenter' is likely to have far less of an impact on us than Oliver.

Mackenzie has hacked out a brutal, angular film from a lump of discarded coal. It is dark, dirty and, man, it's gonna hurt when it hits you in the temple. Starred Up isn't a film we are supposed to dance away from filled with the joys of spring and I'm not even sure I enjoyed it much, but it is a good film and worth an evening of your time if you have the stomach for 106 minutes of life with the underbelly of society.

There are some interesting touches with long-held shots and the motif of revolving doors, and Mckenzie doesn't shy away from the aggression that pervades the prison system, but there is little light or joy in Starred Up.

And that's just as it should be.

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This might be the best of all British prison pictures.

[MOscarbradley · 9/10 · 11 January 2015]

Of all the films made about the British prison system David MacKenzie's "Starred Up" may be the best. It's deeply angry, very violent and totally without sentimentality even if its premiss, (a father and son are banged up together in the same prison), threatens to slide into melodrama. In these roles Ben Mendelsohn and relative newcomer Jack O'Connell are superb. O'Connell, in particular, is extraordinary. From the first moment he appears he's like some frightened but very dangerous animal ready to lash out at anything and everyone, which he frequently does. They are the lynch-pins of a terrific ensemble playing fellow prisoners and various prison staff, none of whom actually appear to be acting, (but for its slightly glossy sheen this could be a documentary).

Even at their worst, most prison films tend to paint their prisons as places of almost romantic camaraderie with prisoners united as one against the brutal screws. Not here; here it's every man for himself in a kill or be killed world where violence isn't so much a daily occurrence but something that seems to be happening on the hour every hour while the screws are seen as mostly venal men and women perpetuating an already corrupt system. The title, by the way, refers to a prisoner who is considered highly dangerous but what this amazing film shows is that, however fouled up that system is, redemption of a kind is still possible. It was filmed in its entirety at the Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast and at the Maze Prison, Long Kesh and it never moves outside.

In for a penny

[sesht · 14 August 2016]

Whoa! Not just a movie, but a powerhouse punch of an experience, right from beginning to end.

Going in without knowing anything helps, for sure.

In any case, here's the trailer - https://youtu.be/zE4ziBfu0JA

1-liner headline: this is about a YO (look it up) in the British prison system, who's just become an inmate in a prison where, along with there being opportunities to rehabilitate (which may, or may not be what he has in mind), there's also opportunity for a different kind of a reckoning, or reconciliation, depending on one's perspective.

Nothing short of visceral, director David Mackenzie ('Asylum', 'Young Adam', 'Perfect Sense', the upcoming 'Hell or High water') owns every line, and every frame of the fantastic screenplay, making this one of the best, and the grittiest prison thriller-drama ever committed to celluloid (in exalted company - Un Prophet, Papillon, Escape from Alcatraz, Shawshank redemption, The Escapist....).

Jack O'Connell seems to be the go-to guy for prison movies, since he did Angelina Jolie's 'unbroken' after this one, but this one packs one hell of a punch, imho, more than that, on various levels, not the least is his characterization and corresponding performance. He was also fantastic in the unnecessarily deridden 'Money Monster', and I'm looking forward to his turn in the upcoming 'HHhH' (the other movie this year about 'Operation: Anthropoid'), 'Tulip Fever' and 'Home'. Have also heard great things about '71, and look forward to that one as well.

Ben Mendelsohn. Ever since his super-creepy turn in the Ozzie 'Animal Kingdom', this guy has owned every frame of any movie he;s been in. Sample this - 'Killing them softly', 'The place beyond the pines', 'Black Sea', 'Mississippi Grind' and even in bit roles like the one he did in 'The dark knight returns'. He takes one of the most powerful roles he's been in, and makes us forget he's Ben the actor, and the reaction to what he does, and what he undergoes, is nothing short of visceral.

Rupert Friend, 'Quinn' from the US version of 'Homeland', has a very powerful, if short, role, and acquits himself perfectly.

The acting's pretty great all-around (Sam Spruell, David Ajala, Anthony Welsh, Raphael Sowole etc.), and the group therapy sequences are perhaps my pick for some of the most explosive (think, powder- keg) situations ever brought to life on film, with one not knowing how each sequence/scenario will turn out.

Every little thing every little character says, and does, has consequences, and leaves and definitely visible impact, even within the confines of the plot and its screenplay. One of the best examples of such action-consequence pairs that I have seen on screen.

Clocking at (around) one and half hours in all, there is not a little bit of fat to be found in this, and all department complement the narrative perfectly, even the sparse (bg) score on hand. The camera-work has to be singled out, since the combination of steadicams and continuously-flowing shots makes us a part of the action, and is perhaps on-par, or better, than what Paul (Bloody Sunday'/'Bourne' Greengrass has ever done. Simply amazing work (Michael McDonough - Winter's bone, Lay the favorite, 13, Quarantine, Fear the walking dead....)!

My only complaint? I wanted more group therapy session sequences. That's it. And yes, more 'bruv' interactions like the one in the gym, or a couple of other face-face interactions among key characters, that showcases both menace, as well as a surprising kind of tenderness. But this one's lean, and mean.

I'd watch this one again and again, given the opportunity, and only regret that I could not enjoy this on the big screen. Thanks to the local UK British council, that I could watch this one at all!

***Fair warning: Not for the squeamish, not for the prude***

Well done, but not exactly uplifting

[neil-476 · 7/10 · 27 March 2014]

Eric is sent to his first grown-up prison (where his father is also an inmate). His violence leads him to be suggested as a candidate for a group therapy programme.

I want to talk about two things: the film in general, and Jack O'Connell, who plays Eric. First, the film. It is strong stuff, well played, enormously atmospheric, and mostly fairly gripping. It is also depressing, nihilistic, ultimately goes nowhere, and it is unclear what (if any) points it is trying to make. Also, it won't travel well - as a Brit, I might be expected to understand the dialogue, but I often didn't (apart from the prodigious quantities of all types of profanity, of course). Subtitles are recommended. It has been heavily trailed over here: now I've seen it, and it is not a film that I care to see again. Despite its undoubted quality in many respects, don't go and see it unless you are sure it is the sort of film you like.

Now to Jack O'Connell. I knew I had seen him in Eden Lake, in which he also played a young psycho thug. When I looked him up, it turns out that I have also seen him in Harry Brown and Tower Block. In which he plays young psycho thugs. If I am fair, he plays them very well indeed, and Eric in Starred Up is a dream of a role for a young actor. But I did find myself wishing he would play parts which are not young psycho thugs, so that I could see if he has any range. Then I noticed that he was in the 300 sequel, and I thought "I don't remember him" - and yet, thinking about it, yes I do remember him, in a non-young psycho thug part. The lad does have range. I look forward to watching his career grow: he has screen presence and should go far.

Very good

[PsychoBeard666 · 8/10 · 24 January 2020]

Jack O'Connell is brilliant as our uncompromising lead. The writing is terrific and the acting from all involved is great.

Injects life into a tired genre

[tomgillespie2002 · 7/10 · 1 September 2014]

Us Brits' strange obsession with alpha-male's and the violent criminal underworld has led the film industry to churn out endless gangster and prison movies, with each DVD cover adorned with some meaty Z-list actor sticking his fingers up or trying to look intimidating. Starred Up, based on writer Jonathan Asser's experiences working as a prison counsellor, has Jack O'Connell's shirtless young offender staring menacingly out on it's poster, and you would be forgiven to assume this was yet another movie destined for the bargain bin. But you would be wrong, as Starred Up is a refreshing pitbull of a movie.

Eric Love (O'Connell) is transferred, or 'starred up', two years early to adult prison from a young offenders institution. It doesn't take long for him to become involved in a fight with another prisoner, and he is thrown in solitary as a result. In this world of macho men, he finds a surrogate father in therapist Oliver (Rupert Friend), a well-educated type who 'needs' to help these prisoners as a way of lending meaning to his own life. But Eric's biological father, Neville (Ben Mendelsohn), is locked up there with him, and feels a different approach is needed to conquer this animalistic young man. Eric, however, has his own plans, which is to take on everybody who stands in his way.

What is so fascinating about Starred Up is its attention to detail. Seconds after being locked into his cell, Eric sets about defending himself by creating a makeshift shank out of a toothbrush and a shaving razor, designed not to stab, but to slice (we see it's full effect later in the film). This is a world in which you have to punch, kick and head- butt to survive, and one in which Eric is clearly (and tragically) familiar with. But it's not only the violent nature and general feeling of unease that makes the film so thrilling, it's the father-son dynamic between Eric, Neville and Oliver, played out without a shred of sentimentality or a morality message. They both clearly care for Eric, but Neville is psychopath and Oliver finds his liberal approach frequently obstructed by the brutality of the deputy governor (Sam Spruell).

Towards the end, it struggles by thinking that the film needs to have a conventional climax. It moves over into dramatic thriller territory, and slightly betrays its roots in realism. Spruell's character throughout is rather one-note - a suited, arrogant political climber whose self-image always comes ahead of the needs of his inmates. Such clichés are not called for, but doesn't do much damage to the overall gut-punch of the film. O'Connell is a star in the making, handsome enough to be a superstar someday, yet talented and charismatic enough to actually deserve it. His performance here is outstanding, as are the ever- reliable Mendelsohn and a sensitive Friend. One of the most pleasant surprises of the year, injecting life into a tired genre.

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Realistic prison drama falls victim to clumsy politics and ridiculous ending

[mkm-hermanjnr · 5/10 · 26 April 2019]

Starred Up is a prison movie which, at the start, feels almost like a reality documentary following the life of one troubled kid as he turns into a man. This is the point at which the film is at it's most brilliant, and this part I would give a good 9-10/10. Unfortunately, the film can't seem to stay with this realistic plotting and style and quickly begins to spiral into a cliched and unrealistic self-indulgent plot-line in which the criminals suddenly become blameless heroes and the prison system becomes monstrously evil to an extent that feels almost comical.

Eric Love (played excellently by Jack O'Connell) enters an adult prison for the first time after being incarcerated in juvenile detention (this is where the phrase "Starred Up" comes from).

Eric is a volatile, poorly educated, violent and disturbed individual who, at the same time, possesses hidden talents, charms and vulnerability. If you live in England and you were to be accosted by a mugger, Eric is basically that guy. He's uncouth, ruthless, cold and instinctively isolates himself from others. He's lived an incredibly tough life and it's implied he was put into the system because he maimed an adult who was sexually abusing him. The first thing we see Eric do, after being privy to a humiliating strip search and delivered to his cell, is fashion a lethal looking shank out of a toothbrush.

He then beats another cellmate who enters his room and attempts to make conversation, shortly afterwards starting a fight with the guards. The reason? Well, initially it seems he's just enjoying the violence and intimidating others. He's very unlikable. But a closer look as the film goes on reveals that it's because Eric is terrified and has no-one to reach out to. He is in an alien, hostile environment and lashing out violently is his main means of pre-emptive self defence. The violence is self-perpetuating.

Bad parenting also comes up as a topic; Eric's institutionalised father Neville (Ben Mendelsohn) is also at the same prison and attempts, in the most toxic possible way, to show love and affection to his son. Instead he reinforces every bad lesson that helped make Eric what he is, much to Eric's disdain and frustration. Watching Eric trying to escape his father's poisonous influence while also dealing with very complicated feelings towards him is another high point of the fil.

This is all stuff I like - a subtle nuanced take on elements of criminality and what causes them, in a realistic context. Brilliant.

Next Eric attends anger management sessions with the prison therapist, Oliver Baumier (Rupert Friend). Baumier is a warm and intelligent character, perhaps the most likable character in the movie, and he does his best to understand Eric and help him to rehabilitate.

Unfortunately, this is where the film starts to really do itself an injustice with the portrayal of the prison Governor, Haynes (Sam Spruell). Spruell is a talented actor (he was a standout in the Hurt Locker as a British merc contractor, for example) but he is given the most one-dimensional character to work with here and it really sinks the film.

Warden Haynes is a simplistic sadistic and irredeemably evil character who seems to take an almost sexual pleasure in relentlessly sabotaging Eric's rehabilitation. It's like he's been transplanted in from a film lacking any subtlety or realism at all.

He lurks around smirking and oiling his way about the place in every scene he's in, as if Satan himself put on a suit and decided to run a prison. He smugly cancels Eric's therapy sessions even though he knows they're working, fires Baumier, encourages drug dealing in the cell blocks, bans every attempt to help Eric in any other way and then even attempts to *murder* him in cold blood at the end of the movie. Yes, you read that right; he personally enlists the help of several guards to string Eric up in his cell and attempts to frame his would-be murder as a suicide. While I like that Eric's father saves him, this is the only positive element of a completely dismal end to the movie - and the father-son bond could have been established in a far more believable way.

The "evil warden" cliche has been done since The Shawshank Redemption and while it worked because that movie was an entirely different type of story, in this film it just comes across as completely ludicrous and unrealistic. If the movie wanted to highlight the real problems of the prison system (as the revolving door metaphor at the end appears to suggest), it would have instead been better to show Warden Haynes as a good man on a limited budget who simply can't afford to run the therapy sessions, or who can't afford to police the blocks well enough to remove the drug dealing. Or perhaps as a man blocked from running the prison efficiently by his higher ups on the Council. At the end of the day, budget constraints are the true evil of the prison system. Not evil satanic wardens who just love making people suffer for a laugh.

Instead Haynes is a clumsy straw-man for Right wing political advocates for punishment in prisons, and the film demonises him as it clumsily attempts to push a more Left wing approach to rehabilitation in prisons. For the record I am a liberal and actually agree that rehab should be a big prison focus. But that doesn't mean I agree with the ridiculous portrayal of anyone who is remotely authoritarian as a murdering lunatic.

In the end I'm going to give the film 5/10, because half of it is fantastic and half of it is really disappointing. I still recommend a watch, but if you like realistic drama be prepared to find the last half really stretching your patience and/or suspension of disbelief.