NASTY NEIGHBOURS
UK, 2000, 89 minutes, Colour.
Ricky Tomlinson, Marian Bailey, Phil Daniels, Rachel Fielding, Hywel Bennett.
Directed by Debbie Isitt.
Nasty Neighbours is based on a play by director Debbie Isitt. She has opened it up considerably so that it does not seem stagebound. However, it has its limits in locations because it is one of those stories about feuding neighbours.
The film’s focus is on the Peach family, whose neighbours have migrated to Australia. Ricky Tomlinson (from Ken Loach’s films, Riff-Raff?, as well as The Royle Family from television) is a double-glazer. His business is not doing well. His wife, played by Marian Bailey, is a bit scattered but loving. New neighbours move in next door, up-and-coming wealthy people played by Phil Daniels and Rachel Fielding. When Harold intervenes to help, he receives a rude retort and from then on it is war between the two houses, the two men fighting each other, resorting to insult and abuse and then to physical violence, eventually guns. Their wives look on. Hywel Bennett has a role as the boss.
The film was made in Birmingham, and highlights a theme in English life, the difference between classes, the different manners between the classes, the aggressiveness in the English spirit and the clash that leads to this kind of neighbours’ violence. Ricky Tomlinson won the best acting award at the Stockholm film festival for his performance.
1.The impact of the film, particularly British? British drama, British satire?
2.Location filming, the city of Birmingham, the landmarks, the suburban streets, the two adjacent houses? The musical score?
3.The blend of realism and the touches of fantasy? The reportage for the goings-on between the two houses? The fantasy interludes – and Harold’s dream of going to Australia?
4.The focus on neighbours, the tradition of friendly neighbours and of hostile neighbours? The former friends going to Australia? The Chapmans moving in? The possibilities for tension?
5.Harold as a personality, his relationship with his wife? His sales, double-glazing? The collages of his work – and its not doing well? Inventions? His yearnings? The fantasy dreams of Australia? As a character in himself, his age, family relationships, to other people, the clash with Robert Chapman bringing the worst out in him? His wife, a nice person, helpless in the behaviour of her husband?
6.Robert and Ellen, their wealth, moving in, aloof? Their manners? The judging of their characters via Harold’s perspective?
7.Harold and his intervention, the bad response? The growing irritations, defacing the car, being loud, the music, being rude to each other, verbal insults, the escalating war? The photographs of Robert’s wife? The possibility of reconciliation? Things moving towards a head?
8.Harold at work, going out, losing jobs, the mortgage, his customers, his interactions with the boss, being let go? His desperation? His behaviour, the cleaner?
9.Jean and her fears, the touches of madness in the Peach household?
10.Their daughter, her visit, the comments, being objective?
11.The build-up to the climax, with the neighbours observing, incidents with the car, the photos, the gun, the bed, taunting, the final fight, death?
12.The various interviews to give a perspective on what had gone on?
