Displaying items by tag: Micheal Ward

BLUE STORY

UK, 2019, 91 minutes, Colour.

Stephen Odubola, Micheal Ward, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Karla-Simone Spence, Rohan Nedd, Sean Sagar, Kadeem Ramsey..

Directed by Rapman (Andrew Onwubolo).

A number of British films and television series, documentary and docudramas, focus on gangs in different areas of London. And the gangs are black gangs. This is one of those films, very much directed towards the younger audience, the target audience of black youth in London, as well as their parents.

The film has been directed by Andrew Onwubolo, an MBE artist and musician, who has the name, Rapman. He has written the screenplay, and appears as a narrative character throughout the film, especially with, as his stage name suggests, a great deal of rap lyrics. Again, though directed towards the younger target audience, many older audiences will appreciate his presence, the skill of the rap, its commentary on characters and action.

The film is set in areas of London, especially Lewisham and Peckham. They have their various gangs. Some of the characters live in Deptford which is looked down on.

The film focuses on a young man, Timmy (Stephen Odubola) and his mother, transferring him to a different high school, away from his friends, especially one who is particularly tough, Killy. At the new school he makes a number of friends, especially bonding with Marco (Micheal Ward) who has an older brother, tough leader of a gang. The years pass, friendships develop, especially timber with the young girl at school, Leah.

But, towards the end of time at school, the friendship is tested, Timmy rather restrained and not wanting to become involved, Marco is influenced strongly by his brother, problems with Timmy coming from Deptford, the different gangs, the emergence of Killy and his gang.

The plot is quite complex with all the politics of gang leadership, the raids and attacks on other gang members, sometimes at night, sometimes in public, a number of deaths which test loyalties.

While Timmy and Leah become involved, falling in love, hopes for the future, Marco attacks them, hitting Leah, her falling, dead. Marco goes to jail. There are a number of incidents, fights, and Marco’s brother injured and becoming a paraplegic.

Years pass, Timmy, affected by the death of Leah, deadly enmity towards Marco, also becomes a gang leader, leading up to confrontations, possible reconciliations, Marco with memories of his family, prison, going to firebomb a van in which Timmy is trapped, deciding to throw the flames.

The central actors, who have had substantial careers in film and television, are engaging, persuasive, audiences becoming dismayed at what happens to them and their behaviour.

Which means then that this is a serious drama, rap message, the action on the nature attractions of gangs and warfare, but the futility of the violence and deaths.

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME

UK, 2024, 125 minutes, Colour.

Bil Nighy, Micheal Ward, Valeria Golino,, Kit Young, Callum Scott Howells, Tom Vaughan Lawler, Leo Hamilton, Susan Warlomo, Christina Rodio.

Directed by Thea Sharrock.

Even though this is a soccer (football, a.k.a. in the UK, The Beautiful Game), it is much more than just a sports film – although fans will enjoy the different matches and the play.

But there is much, much more to the film then the soccer, essential though it is.

Did we know that since 2001 there has been the Homeless World Cup, where teams of homeless men and women representing their country train, have a coach, can apply to participate in the annual competition, a small group going to the host country, small sides, limited playing time, but a competition nonetheless?

Here the competition venue is Rome (always an attractive location). The focus is on a UK group, a group of men, though the American side is a team of women, coached by Mal, a thoughtful Bill Nighy, Nighy at his most likeable.. We learn the homeless stories, addiction, gambling, child neglect… But these men are on the moral mend, especially through the team.

The film has opened with children playing football, a young man watching them, joining in the kicking, but the audience suspecting that he has a chip on his shoulder. He is a bitter former professional, Vinnie (Micheal Ward), with emotional consequences. Mel watches him, invites him to join the group which he reluctantly does. He shows he has great skills, especially with his feet on the ball. However, his relationship with the rest of the men has very strong ups and downs.

Then, the team is ready, and off to Rome. Audiences who enjoy Rome will find plenty to their liking. (The screenplay has been written by Frank Cottrell Boyce (Dog Millionaire), a Catholic, often including Catholic themes in his films, like Millions about being a saint. He introduces some God talk, especially through one of the most exuberant characters in the film, a South African nun, the coach and sponsor of their team, delayed at passport control in South Africa because of visa problems for one of their members from Zimbabwe, but her persuading the official to let them arrive, arriving late, arranging a match with the English team, wearing her habit and veil, and gleefully calling on God for help!

The main teams we see are Japan, US, Italy and, as noted, South Africa. The matches have their excitement, the audience taking sides, especially when we realise that one of the English team is Syrian, a refugee barber, and the Italians have a hostile Syrian on their side. There is drama with the American team, a young woman determined to become a professional, the matches, some defeat, but a final reward for her.

In the meantime, Vinnie goes off by himself at times, refuses to share a room with one of his team who admires him, a former addict who lapses.

This is a very likeable film, and Mal is a very good man. There are some complications for Vinnie, his coping with his past, having to step up to some self-sacrifice – and finally, happily, learning why Mal has supported him so much.

A film of compassion blended with sports enthusiasm, an invitation to feel with others, hope for opportunities and second chances.

1. The title, football, soccer, UK name, beautiful?
2. The football audience, soccer audience, the other football codes? A sports Mfilm? More?
3. The Homeless World Cup? Since 2001? Its scope? The teams, limits, the times for the matches? International? The players coming only one time in their lives? International perspective?
4. The film and its outreach to the homeless, the reasons, addiction, neglecting children, gambling, thief? And the refugee barber from Syria?
5. The International preparations, the focus on the UK, the team from Japan and the girl in charge, her age? The men, vagrants, the look? South Africa, the nun, boisterous leadership, the team? The US, Rosita and her ambitions?
6. Gabriella, coordinator, knowing everyone, observations, comments, encouragement?
7. Vinny, the introduction, with the children, playing, intervening, the criticisms? Mal Bradley observing him, intervening, praising him? Vinny, the loner, in his car, the courier jobs, not available, visit, child, wife, clashes? Is History of playing professionally? His bitterness? The challenge?
8. Mal Bradley, his character, his years as a scout, his years with the Homeless team, bonding with each of them, encouraging, training them? The personal interactions with each?
9. Vinny bitter, scoring goals, special technique, Cal and his skills, reactions, training together?
10. The team, Nathan, simple and kind, revelation of his addiction, not able to be at home, the concern of his mother, the phone calls? Friendly with Vinny? Vinny not wanting to share the room with him, condemnation of Nathan as an addict, a loser? The effect on Nathan, the methadone treatment, neglecting it, having to go home, his apology to Vinny?
11. Kevin, the background of his gambling? Jason, naivete, the attraction towards Rosita and their encounters? Cal, skills, the story of neglecting his son in the car? Aldar, the war in Syria, Kurds, refugee, barber? And his giving the haircuts to the team?
12. The troubles, the spirit, the variety of teams? The South African team, held up with passport control, the introduction of sister, personality, the habit, boisterous, leading the team, prayer, God language? Insisting at the passport desk? The achievement, arriving in Rome, late for the match? Approaching Vinny, the agreement to the game? South Africa winning? The previous points for the UK because of their absence? The American team and their play?
13. The visualising of the matches, the techniques, tactics, the scores?
14. The spirit of the games, teamwork, opportunities, Rosita, her scholarship? The Italian team, the Syrian refugee, the final kicks, handshaking with Aldar? The Japanese loss, but the tour of Rome and their seeing beautiful things? Wanting one goal, getting more? The UK team and the visit to the Trevi fountain and tossing the coin, Mal and the memories of his wife and honeymoon?
15. Vinny and the clashes, not sharing the room, by himself, the request to play for South Africa, his achievement, the medals? Alienation from the team?
16. The ending, his arriving late, the reconciliation?
17. Mal telling them to the truth about scouting him, and his reaction, happy to have been scouted by Mal?
18. And the range of happy endings – touching the heart?