ENGLAND IS MINE
UK, 2017, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jack Lowden, Jodie Comer, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laurie Kynaston, Simone Kirby, Peter Mc Donald.
Directed by Mark Gill.
When audiences learn that this film is about the early life of singer and musician, Steven Patrick Morrisey, the foundation member of The Smiths, they will probably expect a great deal of music. This is not the case. This is the story of Morrisey before he became famous and part of The Smiths. While that may be a disappointment for fans, it does provide an opportunity for a portrait of Morrisey, his Manchester background in the 1970s and 1980s, his relationship with his family, his father walking out, support from his mother, interactions with his sister.
But, what is of interest, is the personality of Morrisey, ambitious, mostly self-absorbed, creative writing, interest in music, having to work in a tax office but frequently being absent, introspective and sometimes shy while ultimately relishing performance. He has several women friends along the way, a fellow student who gives up on him initially, another friend who is an artist, a friend who works in the tax office.
So, this is a portrait of an artist as a young man, not a particularly engaging young man, but someone who was to emerge significantly in the British music world. His played particularly well by an initially unrecognisable Jack Lowden, who is building up a sound body of performance with War and Peace, Mary Queen of Scots, Fighting with the family…
1. Audience knowledge of Steven Patrick Morrissey? Of the career of The Smiths? Their impact?
2. The title, as perceived by Morrisey, in the 1970s and 80s? His ambitions?
3. A story about Morrisey before he became a celebrity? Audiences interest in him, his life and personality, his struggles? The film not featuring The Smiths?
4. The Manchester setting, the 1970s and 80s, other films about music and bands in this era and this area?
5. Jack Lowden’s performance as Morrisey? Young, teenage, young adult? His appearance, long hair, later short hair? Young and getting older? His place in the family, tension with his father, his father’s leaving, the effect on his mother, her support of him? His interactions with his sister, critical of her lack of ambition, making comparisons?
6. Morrisey, rather introverted, with the symptoms of depression? His writing, at the typewriter, in his room? Poetic, lyrics? Publication? His not being satisfied? The discussions with his friend from school, the possibility of an interview for music and the band, his unwillingness to meet the contact? His friend’s leaving him?
7. His going to work, the tax office, absent and absent open-minded? His boss and the demands? The others in the office? His not wanting to work there?
8. Music, bands, the music of the period, his involvement? The gig, the experience, the exhilaration? A one-off?
9. His friendship with Linder, her art, urging him on, taking him out, the exhibition, going to London? The bond between them?
10. Christine, at work, the bond, going out with her, meeting Linder? Support?
11. Time passing, his expression about himself, grandiose ideas, ambitions?
12. The members of the band, discussions, the visit and the playing of the records, the possibility of belonging to the band – and the phone call, the producers not wanting him?
The contact with Johnny – and the opening up to the future?
