Originally intended as a promotional film for Eurostar, highlighting the redevelopment of the St Pancras/King's Cross area of London, Somers Town is the uplifting tale of how unlikely friendships are forged.
Tomo (Turgoose) is a 16 year old runaway who is hoping to change his fortunes in the 'Big Smoke'. The dream is shattered almost immediately when his meagre possesions are stolen leaving him homeless, penniless and hopeless. A chance meeting with a sensitive Polish teenager Marek (Jagiello) gives Tomo's spirits a lift - especially when Marek suggests that he can stay at his small flat. The two form a firm friendship and share similar interests - mainly their obsession with a French waitress (Lasowski) and dodging Marek's hard working father.
The two embark on a series of comic escapades as they attempt to woo the waitress and get money working for the wheeler-dealer Graham (Benson) on an ill-fated deck chair scam. The unscripted dialogue between the main protagonists is top notch with Benson leading Turgoose through what seem to be tense scenes to often hilarious conclusions.
Anyone expecting a full-blown feature film though will be disappointed. The black and white feature has a running time of around 70 minutes and has the feel of an extended short to it. That's not a criticism, with the right man at the helm wonders can be delivered in that time frame and Meadows is certainly the man for the job.
Thomas Turgoose proves that his outstanding debut in This is England was no flash in the pan. How he will fare outside of 'Shane's World' remains to be seen but there is no doubting that he is hugely likable onscreen.
Overall Somers Town is an interesting stop on Shane Meadows' express to be the best director in Britain. It's a beautifully shot film which captures a moment in time in London's history and has something genuinely interesting and funny to say.
Rob Andrews
