Strumpet

Just seen "Stumpet" on TV and thought that it was certainly one of the more interesting films I have seen of late. I had to write this as I have read the previous review and it didn't seem to do it justice. Sure, Strumpet is rough round the edges, it's not as sanitized or as colourful as Shallow Grave or Trainspotting, but in my view that adds to its character.

From the "chicken town" poem at the beginning to hypocrisy of "Top of the pops" at the end, the film throws convention away and does something different and inspiring.

By no means the best film in the world, but definitely worth a watch. You will like it or you will hate it.

Director Danny Boyle , Producer Martin Carr and Jim Cartwright have achieved what many would be afraid to do. This feature shot on dv has captured the heart of true movie making with is truthful, raw beauty. Strumpet is a coolly ambivalent study into a modern-day fairy tale, an outcast called Strayman, who lives by himself with a pack of dogs, writes what he feels about life on the walls of his flat. The savage but true poet who falls for a beautiful singer, they encounter a producer who sets both their poetry and music in motion. Instead of dwelling on the pretentious liaisons between artists and the industry, director Danny Boyle explores the changing relationships between people before and after their natural talent is stifled by the hold of the commercial music industry. Jim Cartwright's story is a study into real modern day fairytale storytelling, concentrating on making an assertion that even in this life, dreams will be realised. At the centre of this, is the modern day hero 'Strayman', played by Christopher Eccleston. One of the cinema's most fearless actors, Eccleston brings a melancholic yet truly heart-warming presence to create one the most unique of characters. Uplifting and truthful, 'Strumpet' echoes the message that dreams can be realised and great films can be made on whatever canvas the story unfolds.

Don't expect a new 'Shallow Grave' or 'Trainspotting'; this is a film rather for the people who appreciated 'Trainspotting' for it's refined criticism against drugs and the so-called generation X, for people who noticed how tragic that story really was, then for people who loved it for it's drug- and action scenes. Christopher Eccleston is just terrific in this picture which is very vivid, quite original and has a certain -sometimes sarcastic- sence of humor. See for yourself what it is about, and be nicely surprised!

A personal highlight of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2001, "Strumpet" is a dazzling showcase of DV filmmaking that never undermines the startling narrative, perfectly crafted by Jim Cartwright and realised by Danny Boyle. Christopher Eccleston is amazing! Hurting. Searching. Honest. Carrying the weight of life in "Chicken Town". Not since Four Weddings has the 'F' word been used to such good effect - here it hammers it's way into your psyche, painting a bleak canvas onto which the story unfolds. Anyways, enough already! Uplifting. Revelatory, and after months of rhetoric of how DV will change the world, I've finally seen the future... and it all hangs on a great story and true passion in front of and behind the camera.

This film shouldn't be defined by it's creation on DV. DV or not DV who cares? Good films come from the heart, and communicate some level of truth and experience and this film has plenty all round. Truly essential.

Story of a good-for-nothing poet and a sidekick singer who puts his words to music. Director Danny Boyle has lost none of his predilection for raking in the gutter of humanity for characters but he has lost, in this film, the edge for creating inspiring and funny films. Strumpet is painful to watch and barely justified by the fact that it was made for TV.