Common

Having raised three boys of my own, I found this movie very interesting and plausible when it comes to young men going on a group-ride for take-out. Most times they do not always communicate their intentions and thoughts as a group, but enjoy the togetherness of adventure. The driver 'Johnjo' is the driver and very naive and stoic as to the wait time in the car as the others go inside. The morale for me and most parents that might watch this, is to instill in our children that you can be a product of the circumstances that may develop in a group venture without your knowledge. The 'Joint Enterprise' legal entrapment they face is they all played a role in a tragic death that occurred in the small take-away restaurant. I loved the two female mother roles and found them so authentic and heart-wrenching. The key for me was the variations of innocence in each of the passengers and after watching the movie you will make your own determination as to it all coming down to being aware of the personalities you hang out with.

While lacking some back story and giving a few "where did that come from?" moments, overall "Common" is a consuming piece of drama. I was sucked in the moment I started watching. The moral and legal implications of the actions portrayed brings several issues to the fore. However, some of the video clips at the very end are, in my opinion, preachy. They could take away from the viewer's ability to make up their own mind about the law as it stands.

Still, as a production, the direction was confident, the cinematography was sublime and the acting, especially that of the two female leads was nothing less than award-worthy.

Highly recommended.

I watched this in 2025 some 11 years after it was made. On BBC4 it was accompanied by a 15 minute trailer by Jimmy explaining his thoughts. The difficult topic is handled very delicately and the overall result is magnificent.

Script - Jimmy McGovern does a marvellous job of representing all parties with empathy and skill yet making it entertaining and gripping.

The Cast - magnificent cast and the acting is really strong throughout.

Soundtrack - great, I'm not sure who does it but it sounds like Robert Wyatt maybe.

Overall - the purpose and message is delivered superbly and this is a quality production I commend you to watch!!

If you're reading this review, I might assume that you are American, as I am. This movie, obviously, occurs in Britain; and the subject matter(Joint Enterprise Law) is strictly British. Still, I assure you that this foreignness won't hinder your enjoyment or lessen the movie's criticism of the law.

The movie's crux is fairly simple. The protagonist is a 17-year old named Johnjo O'Shea. He drives 3 of his brother's friends to a pizza store, with the belief that they only wanted a pizza. In actuality, the trio --- Colin McCabe, Hugo Davies, Kieran Gillespie --- intended to non-fatally confront an enemy, and during the altercation, Kieran Gillespie stabs an innocent bystander. Johnjo O'Shea, who waited outside in the car the entire time, drove the trio away. He had no knowledge of the murder until after.

Based on those facts, you would assume that only Kieran Gillespie would be charged with murder because only he wielded the knife, no? There is where you are wrong, and there is where the movie's criticism begins and ends.

Courtesy of the "joint enterprise" law, all four boys get charged with murder, with the frightening prospect of life in jail. I would say more, but I won't spoil.

The movie nicely highlights the injustice of the law. Policemen, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys -- all are heartless, devious, or dim-witted in this flick. Joint enterprise becomes especially villainous because the viewer feels sympathy towards the protagonist, which arises from his own circumstances as well as the movie's depiction of his mother's worries (well-acted by the beautiful Jodhi May).

If I had one criticism, I wish the movie had been about 30 minutes longer (2 hours) to more fully develop the legal process. But this criticism is minor and clearly insufficient to prevent my conferring a 10 rating.

Jimmy McGovern, the man who wrote Cracker and Hillsborough, again gives us a powerful piece of television. McGovern's writing can be somewhat grim at times but is always challenging and thought provoking.

The scene at the very end between the two mothers, and the brief clip of the young boy in his cell with the sun pouring in through the window, was incredibly powerful, add in that beautiful song that sadly does not seem to be available to purchase or listen to anywhere but in this drama. Poignant.