Loved Up

Two years before he made a big splash with the comedy "The Full Monty", Peter Cattaneo directed this rivetting feature about teenage angst, friendship and drugs without ever being priggish. A throbbing soundtrack, a tense and dismal atmosphere combined with outstanding performances, especially by Lena Headey and Ian Hart, make "Loved Up", which was highly acclaimed at the Edinburgh Film Festival, a must-see. Definitely not your run-of-the mill tv-film.

I hope you'll stumble across this title and make the effort to find a copy because it's certainly worth it. Furthermore, if your radio seems locked on to Pete Tong on a Friday night, then this is essential viewing.

Not everyone will "get" this film, it's certainly one for the younger generation, but anyone who enjoyed "Human Traffic" will find this just as enthralling.

In essence it's a snapshot of clubbing in 1994, long before things became mainstream as they are now (Y2K). And it's a rollercoaster ride with 6 "youths" as they enjoy/live life with drugs/clubs/pubs and thugs.

It's balanced, it's funny, it's sad, it certainly portrays a good view of drug taking both the positive and negative aspects. And just as Justin Kerrigan (director) does in Human Traffic, it shows the underlying social situation that millions of 18 - 25 year old are in in the 90's (and naughty's).

If you doubt the fact that over half a million people use Ecstacy every weekend in the UK, then watch this film and understand.

If you just love club music and want a laugh, then track it down.

Why did this win best a Best Children's Drama prize at the BAFTAs, when it's clearly only for adults (and is rated 15)? A typical piece of 90's filmic culture, it seems to celebrate the 'drugs and boozing' ethos at the time while simultaneously condemning it. Lena Headey is a definite find as the girl driven onto the wrong side of the tracks by slacker Ian Hart, you can tell she was destined for bigger and better things.

Overall, an absorbing in places yet obnoxious sometimes Made For TV flick, which fortunately is short enough so boredom probably won't be an issue. I would've had less scenes of idiots raving to repetitive music, but that's just me. Give it a try. 6/10

I stumbled across this years ago when it was on TV. Luckily I taped it and often watch it because it's such excellent entertainment and the music blows your mind. I spent years trying to find out if the soundtrack was available and then discovered it was by Leftfield and all the songs were on one album; Leftism. This film accurately portrays both the "highs" and huge lows of the drug culture in the late eighties. The acting is brilliant and the end puts it all into perspective. Even if your life didn't take you down the path of Ecstasy, raves and all-nighters it is well worth taking a peek at how it must have been for the thousands of club goers discovering that everything started with an E !!!

Parts of this will blow some 90's minds... its a love story set around the rave/drugs scene in UK.

It got edited in to a kids drama for education TV..... THE REVIEWER BEFORE ME MISSED THE POINT ASKING FOR LESS DANCING SCENES.... THEY ARE "ESSENTIAL" TO THE ERA AND STORY.