The Unloved

This was so well-directed and acted that it seemed at times like a documentary. Avoiding any clichés and easy answers it was moving and compelling. Clearly Samantha Morton is going to be as great a director as she is an actress. The expressionistic filming style and the long static shots reminded me a bit of Lynne Ramsay's work, which is a compliment in itself! I wish it had been shown in cinemas, as it would have won many awards in my opinion. All the actors were great, as i said above so naturalistic that it seemed at times like watching a documentary. Great performances in particular from the little girl Lucy, and the troubled Lauren that she met whilst in the care home. Highly recommended.

Samantha Morton's passion for this story is evident in the purposeful construction of the film. At first you will wonder what in the world is happening, but as the film develops you will start to understand that the lingering cuts are drawing you into Lucy's world. Molly Windsor does an incredible job of portraying the innocent little observer who is thrust into a wildly different world when she is forced to move into a group home. Still sleeping with her teddy bear she has to room with Lauren, a rebellious teen who takes Lucy along with her shoplifting, partying, etc. The film is a bit sad and doesn't really offer any solution and so you are left feeling sorry for Lucy and hoping she will not succumb to the temptations around her and last probably until she ages out of the system. Hopefully what this film can do is bring awareness to problems in the social service system not only in the UK, but everywhere and perhaps kind hearted people will be stirred to help these children.

Lucy (Molly Windsor) is eleven years old living with her abusive father (Robert Carlyle). She is put into foster care and faces a chaotic unloving system. Her roommate is 16 year old Lauren (Lauren Socha). Lauren runs away taking the quiet Lucy with her. They get into trouble with the police and brought back to the home.

It's an impressive directorial debut from Samantha Morton. The tone is very haunting. The young girl is put to the great use by keeping her mostly silent. It permits the audience to inhabit her character. Lauren Socha is also quite effective as the teen delinquent character. The biggest drawback is the long running time. This movie could be even better distilled into a tighter pace. Morton seems to be indulging a little too much in long ambling scenes.

With this film, Samantha Morton has done better than most actors-turned-directors, as she displays an understanding not just of the ways in which films make meaning and are experienced by their audience, but also of human behaviour and the way life itself unfolds. While similar subject matter has certainly been covered before in British films, from Ken Loach to Lynne Ramsay (from whom Morton seems to have learned cinematic pacing and how to "show and not tell"), this film is still able to give a fresh experience, just like how many people share very similar lives on the surface, yet each one is unique.

Without giving anything away plot-wise, the scenes which stand out for excellent direction, acting and pacing are the opening one between the main character and her father, another later on between these same characters in a pub, an outdoor rave, and a fight that breaks out between a group of adults who are supposed to be the responsible ones (though the beauty of the way this scene is handled lies in the fact that we can't be sure some of them *aren't* being responsible by doing what they're doing!).

The last shot could have been one of the stronger endings I've seen in recent cinema, but the music that plays over it detracts from the power it could have had - instead of allowing viewers to have their own individual reactions to this image (and there's enough power and emotion inherent in the situation that it would be nearly impossible not to experience something during this shot), the music tells us what the emotions are, through both instrumentation and lyrics. This serves to detach the audience somewhat from what we're seeing, instead of sucking us in like most of the film has already succeeded so well in doing.

I can only hope Morton directs another film in the (near) future.

Saw this on Channel 4 tonight. 2 key words: Bleak & beautiful.

The acting during the bust-up at the Christmas Party was very realistic. The last continuous shot of the young girl on the bus home was very poignant. That image really stays with you.

If Samantha is reading this: Congratulations and well done on this great film. The subject matter was presented 'just right'. Coleen's music felt really natural (and, never forced). If you never direct again, that's fine, you can be very proud of this. I understand completely that this was something felt you had to do - rather than it being 'another gig' (like most directors).

Can you please provide details of all the music used in the film. The end credits text (font) was so small, I could barely read it! The subtitles didn't note every song, either. In particular, I'd like to know the name of track used at the Christams party - the one with the dance-off.

Thank you. All the best for the future :) HP