Dirty God

This film really hits home as it gets inside the head of the main character and takes us on a rollercoaster emotional experience. We are never quite sure where the film is heading, it really works on a more docu-drama level than any film I have watched since "Amores Perros". It has a very gritty approach to British subculture and the only violence occuring has preceeded the start of the film. Casting an actual burned actress in the main roll adds a dynamic that would be hard to achieve otherwise. Acting is first class, the film never lets up and really has neither a good or bad ending, it is just what it is - a snapshot of a beautiful young girl tragically maimed and trying to come to terms with a future, any future.

Being acidated by a cruel friend, the story is sparse on the matter, its more the tough psychological fight it is to look different at a young age . the burn scars sticks deep, and even deeper than people around her can understand. choosing to wear a burka to avoid people to see the scars, and doing the sex online on the internet doesnt make matters easier.

its a film about being made estranged to your surroundings, and the lack of real support is like a major acidosis. the acting are plain, but not developing, and just stays sad and at times extreme childish. the make up deartment has done a good job on the wound parts, and the score makes this film afloat.

but allover it is a very sad and gloomy story, with a raw british realism attached to it, so the grumpy old man recommends it to all that can stay in for 100 mins of heavy psychosocial realism. its not a rewind for me though.

When a beautiful young woman has acid thrown in her face, what does it do to her sense of self? This is the key question in this intoxicating 21st century London drama.

The film is reminiscent of Andrea Arnold's work. All the scars (literally) are laid bare. This is no redemptive story but Jade does grow. And the journey is moving and cathartic.

Vicky Knight does a good job here making you feel what it is like to literally lose your face. Screenplay and direction help her to create a character, that maintains its dark sides even when everything is ready for pure compassion. Not on the light side, but worth watching.

Built around a caustic, corrosive culture and society - British film, storytelling, at its most powerful and thought provoking best. Great performances all round, especially from the outstanding Vicky Knight, whose character resists letting her appearance define her, bravely trying to be a a regular teenager and forging her own path in the world, albeit with minimal help and support.