STARRED UP

UK, 2013, 106 minutes, Colour.
Jack O' Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend, Sam Spruell.
Directed by David Mackenzie.

Starred Up is a striking British prison film, in the tradition of such stark films as Alan Clarke’s Scum.

The film takes place solely within the prison, from the arrival of the young prisoner by van, his going to the desk and giving up his possessions, the strip search, the corridors, his single cell, the places for recreation, showers, rooms for meetings. It is presented with intense realism.

The focus is on Eric Love, played by Jack O’ Connell (Unbroken,’ 71), a young offender with a juvenile record, notably violent, put in a cell by himself. He exercises his violence, bashing a neighbouring prisoner, slashing a black prisoner with his razor blade soldered onto a toothbrush and hidden in the light in his cell, continually fighting, using his wits and getting the guards off guard, even biting into the crotch of one guard.

The complication is that his father, Neville Love, played with intensity by Ben Mendelsohn, is also in the prison. Though he was an absent father, he wants the best for his son, continually meeting him, lecturing him, exhorting him to do better.

The authorities are presented in ways that are expected but the Deputy Governor seems to have some kind of relationship with one of the dominant prisoners, supplying him with needs. The prison governor is a woman, interested in possible therapy. An interesting character is Oliver, played by Rupert Friend, who lives in the prison, but is not a prisoner, but works with groups to try to rehabilitate them, some of the interesting scenes being Eric’s participation, often violently, but with growing attention, in the groups.

The authorities are against Eric and, at the end, contrive to hang him as an attempted suicide, but he is rescued by his father.

For most of the film, it would seem that there was little hope for Eric but, finally, he does show glimmers of humanity.

The film was directed by David Mackenzie who had made his reputation with strong small films including Asylum, Hallam Foe, Perfect Sense, You Instead.

1. UK prison film? British prisons? The tradition of films set in British prisons? Universal theme?

2. The film taking place solely within the prison, the van, the entry of the prisoner, possessions and the desk, stripping and examination, young offenders, corridors, cells, single cells, the corridors, the yards, the showers, the play areas, billiards and ping-pong, the group rooms, the gym, the authorities and their offices, solitary confinement? An authentic feel?

3. The drained colour, the atmosphere of the prison, score, the editing and pace – illustrating the process and for the audience to understand and appreciate it?

4. Jack O’ Connell as Eric, his age, the background of his criminal activities, in the van, entering the prison, his possessions at the desk, stripped and searched, the clothes, his reputation for violence, his cell, alone, the blade and his being able to unlock the light fitting, hiding it? His later using it and slashing? His relationship with the authorities, the ordinary guards, the deputy governor and the clash, the Governor and her visit and the assessment about his need for therapy? The neighbour, Eric bashing him, the guards with their shields, his violent reaction, biting the guard on the crotch, holding him, and negotiating with the authorities? His lies? Going into solitary? His attitudes, no hope, his mouthing thoughts about rehabilitation?

5. Neville, in prison with his son, the scenes together, Eric’s bad memories, the absent father, no mother, reform institutions, criminal behaviour? Neville seeking out Eric, giving lectures, wanting him to learn? The talk with Oliver? Going to the group, eventually beginning discussions, despite the clashes? The Governor and the number of chances, the final strike? His stealing from the black prisoner’s room, and cutting him? Talking with the prisoner who was controlling the wing, punching him, the prisoner saying that Eric was like him? Giving him advice? The commission to harm Eric, the confrontation in his cell, on the toilet, putting his head in the toilet, the shower? The developments in the group work, his reaction, beginning to be able to discuss the situation, angers, the lives of the other members of the group? Finally in the cell, his being beaten, the attempted hanging him like a suicide? His being saved by Neville?

6. Neville, his past, criminal, his place in prison, his cell, sharing, the cellmate and the sexual relationship? His concern about Eric, his not being educated, yet wanting the chances with his son, lecturing him, visiting his cell, dominating, his having the freedom of the wing, the discussions with Oliver and the clashes, going to his friend, the clash, the knife – and the warning to save Eric? The confrontation, the knife and fight, saving Eric, his transfer, the final embrace?

7. The authorities, the governor and her concern about therapy, the Deputy Governor and corruption, contacts with the inmates? Their attitude towards Eric, dominating him, solitary, the attempt to hang him?

8. Oliver, the story of his life, his need to be in the present, having the keys, staying in the present, working with the group, his plans, getting Eric’s trust, mutual storytelling, the group work, the discussions, the fights, the themes? The Deputy Governor, Oliver sense of failure, giving up his keys?

9. The range of prisoners, the big number of black prisoners, the stories, clashes, pressurising, and the members of the group?

10. Regards, their work, tough, their being hurt?

11. Eric going into prison, their seeming no hope – but…?