Us and Them

source: Us and Them

Us and Them (2017), written and directed by Joe Martin, is a British crime drama and thriller. It's a film that dramatizes the life of an angry, working class, young man's attempts to affect some kind of change and seek retribution against the 1 % set against the pathology of the British class system. The film is well-crafted and helped by superb acting, an excellent script, terrific cinematography, and film editing. The non-linear narrative of the crime and the simmering tensions and hostility amongst the characters are juxtaposed against the anti-hero's motivation, selected aspects of his backstory, and the plotting of the crime alone and together with his accomplices. It is full of twists and turns which fuel the narrative and create dramatic tension. Martin weaves together many visual elements to create an intriguing film. Close ups and medium angle shots are interspersed with wide angle shots and aerial shots, and he uses interstitial titles to structure the film. The film is shot in color and includes black and white photography, voice over, underwater footage, super imposed images, the use of filters, zooms, fades to black, video footage, freeze frames, split screens, mise-en-scene long takes and fast paced editing, slow motion, the framing of scenes incorporating windows, and car mirrors, and backlit scenes to create a visually powerful film. The film includes a touch of the famous British humour involving Glen (Paul Westwood) in the tool shed. I particularly like the shooting of the video documentary in the film and incorporating a close up of Danny's face framed within the video camera display in the foreground with his persona, out of focus, in the background. The film is comprised of a series of riveting scenes that give the film depth and complexity. They include the scenes involving the gun pointed at the camera in and out of focus juxtaposed with Danny's face in and out of focus, the dramatization of Conrad's and Danny's thoughts and feelings during Danny's interrogation of Conrad, and the juxtaposition of the pool scene involving Conrad and Danny and Danny's backstory about his dad. And the film is filled with memorable lines including "we all *; we all shit; we all die." The crime drama is superbly acted and Jack Roth's portrayal of Danny is intensive and riveting and he is matched in the performance of his nemesis, Conrad, played by Tim Bentinck. Martin creates an intimate and accessible portrait of Danny, an out of control young man, simmering with anger and hostility. I'd like to single out Andrew Tiernan's outstanding performance. He plays Tommy, Danny's mate and an accomplice. The scene involving him and Conrad in the upstairs bathroom sent shivers down my spine. Are British dramatic crime thrillers your cup of tea? Well, if they are, then, you're in for a treat with Us and Them. It's a provocative film framed within the pathology of the British class system. It's an intriguing film that held my attention.

The slowed down sequences are far too long and many, more story would have been better to fill out what otherwise would have been a much better film.. Roth like his father has a rich future in films.

Tries too hard to be cruel and funny .Not a bad effort in parts , copies alot off lock , stock and A Clockwork Orange. Could of been great but ends up being poor.

Very contemporary for our times. Dark humour. You would be left confused as to which side of the debate you are on. Riveting.

Take elements of an all time classic, including classical music, disengaged youth, violence and redemption. Add some terrible acting, a very poor script, unbelievable characters and some comedy. What do you get? One of the worst movies of the year. Not even a Sleaford Mods soundtrack can save it. This whole movie feels like it was written and directed them. (A Rich posho) stereotyping the working class to be nothing more than simpletons. Although you can argue Glen was also a simpleton but a posh one. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is absolutely dire. Was it meant to be a comedy of was it really that bad?

Intriguing little scocio-polical movie that reminded me of the early works of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. It's a little brutal at times and quite funny at other's, and it is well acted. Not great but not terrible, it's okay for a Netflix selection.

Jack Roth is outstanding in this film and his performance, together with Tim Bentinck's carries this thriller. Some humorous one liners. Current films do not deal with the issues of the widening social divide and the disenfranchised so this film is refreshing albeit a bit raw. Overall I enjoyed it and it gave much food for thought.

An extra point earnt for two tracks by The Damned in the soundtrack. One or two low reviews by others almost stopped me watching this movie but as I'm a curious soul it spurned me on to watch it and find out myself and I'm glad I did. Sure the movie could have been better, twice as long but it didn't have to be, the point had already been made. The obscene, grotesque wealth gap of the social divide has been widening for many decades to the point where food banks are a lifestyle for those who have nothing, It's depressing stuff but it's real life for many and the injustice of it all is sickening. Is the movie believable, could it really happen?.., perhaps but hopefully not, it does however serve as a reminder that there's a limit a person can take when they feel they have nothing left to live for. It's a shame someone reviewed this movie as only being suitable for the white van man. I think it's a movie that tests a person's perception of reality and ignorance

The perfect microcosm for the class war. Gritty, real and intriguing. Jack Roth was outstanding. His character was the perfect working class mouthpiece albeit quite severe. The Best of British cinema. Witty and intelligent the perfect dark political drama comedy. A relatable representation of the working classes fustrations. Not represented as complacent Roth's character pushes the class war in the opposite direction. A true piece of British cinematic genius. The film I've been waiting for.