Underground

As someone who was around when the whole rave and clubbing scene was happening in the UK, its odd that I somehow missed this at the time. While sometimes its an oversight and you can find a hidden gem, most of the time its because some things sink without trace because they simply aren't any good. This is definitely in the latter category.

The story centres around Rat, a young and very unsympathetic drug dealer who sells drugs to a girl who ends up hospitalised or worse. He spend the film walking around being annoying and breathing through his mouth. The rave promoters where the girl fell ill are also dealers, so they set out to find Rat. The problem with this movie is because nobody in the film is likable, you really don't care what happens to any of them. The only reasons anyone talks these films up is generally because they will have a few songs which people like, or because of the subject matter. Because they aren't good films. While most of the acting is passable at best, it really falls apart during the action or violence scenes. Which somehow look unbelievable even though its something as simply as someone being punched or kicked. The ending is both entirely unbelievable and laughable. Due to the acting and the obvious redemption angle its fishing for, which only works with sympathetic characters. Its a stark reminder that not everything in the 90's was great, even if it has a dance music soundtrack. One to avoid, or regret if you actually watch it.

I found this film in the budget section of my local video dealer,i had never heard of this film befor but i was greatly surprised. The film is about a 15 year old drugdealer whos life fall apart one nigt.A girl dies of drug he sold,and other dealers start to chase him. the film is extremely low budget most of the actors are unknown,except for Ian Dury hvo plays the kids father. Underground has many drug reference and lots of nudity,but if you are not put out of that underground will show you a realistic view of modern London. It is always good to see a movie made because the filmmakers has something inportant to say.

This film should have been the film of the year. Made for a ridiculously low budget, it tells the story of a young drug dealer named Rat who deals a bad E to a girl at a rave and is then pursued by the rave organiser who objects to Rat dealing on his patch. Told over the course of one night, Rat can find no one to help him find shelter and is turned away by friends and family, suffering one betrayal after another. A cast of unknowns (apart from Ian Drury) are superb and it is a crime that Paul Spurrier is not a major league director by now. I cannot rate this movie highly enough and I urge anyone with an interest in youth culture and great movie making to see it. 10 out of 10.

The good: Great story, very real reflection of London drugs scene and how it's often driven by the 'underclass' on shabby council estates. For such a low budget feature, the camerawork is often compelling, and the relentless hip-hop rave soundtrack clearly reflects the subject matter.

The bad: Sometimes the acting leaves something to be desired. There's a quite unnecessary element of sleaze in one lengthy scene, and in that scene there is a quite appallingly acted and written scenario involving the guy with white hair/beard and glasses.

All in all it's definitely worth watching provided that the subject matter doesn't turn you off.

One of the worst films I've ever had the displeasure of sitting through.

(I say through, I'm calling time on it less that 45 mins in)

Ok so it's low budget, but that's no excuse for the diabolical script, the comically bad acting, forgettable soundtrack and laughable story.

For films that realistically capture the essence of 90's clubbing, head for Wiz's incredible promo for Flowered Up's 'Weekender', the BBC2 film Loved Up, or even the rave episode of Morse.

Non of them were done on a big budget but all captured the highs and lows of the rave era with pinpoint accuracy.

This film is a joke, look elsewhere.