SOUL BOY
UK, 2010, 80 minutes, Colour.
Martin Compston, Alfie Allen, Brian Mc Ardle, Felicity Jones, Nichola Burley, Pat Shortt.
Directed by Shimmy Marcus.
Over the years, British filmmakers like to go back into the past, especially into the history of trends in music. Steve Coogan appeared in Michael Winterbottom’s 24 hour Party People, taking the audience back into Manchester’s past. This film was more modest, going back to Stoke-on-Trent?, and the history of music and clubbers in the Wigan Casino.
The story is familiar enough, focusing on Martin Compston as the young man, few prospects at home, helping with a robbery, going about his work, interested in girls, learning to dance, selling records, participating in drug deals. He meets an attractive girl, an early role for Felicity Kendall. He is also attracted by another girl in the town played by Nichola Burley. After various conflicts, proving himself and dancing, he pursues Felicity Kendall – into some kind of future.
1. A film of the 1970s? The retrospect?
2. The title, the music of the early 70s, records and sales, bands and clubs, the Wigan Casino? Singing? Dancing? Competitions?
3. Stoke-on-Trent?, the introduction? Ordinary life? The young men of the town, jobs, prospects or not?
4. Russ’s story, his age, background, working with Brendan, the routines, the attempted robbery, the confrontation? His friends, Russ? Interesting music, records?, The attraction? His personal awkwardness? The discovery of the Wigan Casino? The visits, eye-opening? The music, his awkwardness in dancing, practising? The encounter with Mandy? Her teaching him? The haircut, the consequences? The young men and the girls? The issue of drugs? Pressures of dealers? The impact on Joe, Mandy and the drugs, his following her, the future?
5. Joe’s friends, Russ, his story, with the girls, with Joe, the drugs, the music? The other associates, at the music store and the records, the deals? The drug dealers? The stand over tactics of bounces?
6. The girls in the town, Jane, her work? Joe and his haircut? Mandy, the encounter, communicating with her, her hopes for artwork? At the casino, the drugs, the effect on her, her leaving, Joe pursuing her?
