Common People

This is a little gem of a film which celebrates the diverse people in London (and the UK) which make up our communities today.

It weaves through the lives and experiences of a number of characters. Seeing the light, bright side to life as well as the challenges and heart break too.

Filmed entirely on Tooting Common, the film follows the cheeky escape artist Princess Parroty, who elopes to the lush green space in the midst of the hustle and bustle of London. As she explores her new home we get a birds eye view of the regulars who come to the common and we are able to share in their lives.

I was absorbed into the film very quickly, and really cared about what was going to happen to the people in each individual story. The stories, although separate, find themselves connecting together in touching and often humorous ways.

The fact that Common People was filmed on a micro budget during the wettest April on record, adds extra magic when watching it. The film oozes warmth and joy and is a true nod to all that's good about London.

A reminder that you don't need big budgets, special effects and Oscars to have a truly fabulous film.

Funny, silly, and touching in equal measure this is one of those films where you just don't know why you like it, but you do.

The characters are plausible and likable, the story lines veer from the ridiculous to the heart wrenchingly plausible and the simplicity allows the focus to remain on the hub of the plot, the inter relationship of normal people, warts and all. It isn't always pretty, it isn't always kind but it is unavoidably real. Its life.

A film that you leave feeling content and happy, proud to be not just a Tootonian, not just a Londoner, but a human being.

A triumph.

I saw this film at the Clapham Picturehouse and am so glad I did.

It's a very real, warm, funny, moving and at times bonkers movie. All in all the kind of film that British indies do best.

I'm based in London so I did feel a sense of pride in seeing London and Londoners represented this way in a film, but I think the characters and their stories would translate to anyone from anywhere right now. These are ordinary people facing extraordinary moments in their lives and it was great to follow them all on their journey.

The characters are also so diverse in their ages and backgrounds that I think this film holds something for everyone to relate to, oh and I should also say that the ensemble of actors in this film do a fantastic job. The performances really are top notch, even from the parrot (!) and dogs (bonkers!) I won't say any more, you need to see it for yourself!

To the visuals- The Common it's filmed on looks gorgeous, it's really nicely shot and you feel like you are really 'in there' with the characters, a privileged voyeur, much like the parrot.

Yes, this film does have it's faults, but all in all I'd totally recommend it if you're in the mood for an uplifting film with real heart.

Wasn't sure what to expect, but very pleasantly surprised. Although shot entirely in our locality, it has resonance for any people, anywhere. A simple plot-line but with many twists and a few surprises. We were pleased to see the inclusiveness of different races, gender, ages,religions and social classes. There was a deft use of humour in the way all these facets of life were interwoven and it even managed to stay the right side of political correctness without being bland. Both myself and my wife were very impressed by how it all came together it all came together towards the end, and not unemotional either!! Well done - a great film on a small budget.

What's surprising about this movie is how rapidly you begin to care about all the characters in this neatly woven tapestry of visitors to a London Common, viewed by us the film watchers, and by an escaped parrot!

Without giving too much of the multi-faceted plot away, the film concerns a series of regulars initially going about their daily lives, and then observes them get involved with each other with some surprising consequences...

Unrequited love, long term relationships, a few cheeky themes, a bunch of life-saving cub scouts and the life of the homeless rather all miraculously build up to a sweet and sad resolution, while looking most pretty and causing a few tears and laughs along the way.

Life affirming and recommended.