Little Boy Blue

The kind of senseless murder happening all-too-often in communities these days. Sensitive, emotional, top-notch production, writing, directing and acting pulled me into the community and story. Four 45-minute parts totalling three hours, it moves along very quickly and was compelling to watch and get so drawn into this tragedy and investigation.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

In August 2007, in the car park of The Fir Tree pub in Croxteth, Liverpool, eleven year old Rhys Jones, who was on his way home from football practice, became the most innocent of casualties in a local gang rivalry, dying after being accidentally shot by a bullet meant for someone else. On the eve of promotion, Detective Superintendent Dave Kelly (Stephen Graham) is assigned to lead the investigation into Rhys's death that comes to have a far more profound effect on his professional and home life than he could have imagined. Despite his dogged determination to get justice for Rhys and his parents Mel (Sinead Keenan) and Steve (Brian F.O' Byrne), Kelly encounters a wall of silence from a local community living in fear of the gangs and the repercussions of being labelled a 'grass.'

Ten years on from the case that this TV drama is based on, ITV have chosen to make it into a three part drama detailing the case and how events panned out. There's certainly a lot of meat on the bones to work with, and the film is careful not to sensationalise anything, and tell the case in a sensitive and effecting way. Aside from the already horrifying death of a child, the case grabbed the nations attention also by highlighting what may well be a commonplace truth around the country, of normal, decent, respectable people living alongside those who live by their own rules with no intention of living honestly, and the shocking consequences of what happens when these two worlds sometimes inevitably.

There was no better person for the lead role than Graham, with his natural Scouse background and pretty realistic physical resemblance to the real Dave Kelly. He fits the part pretty effortlessly, but still turns in a reliably great performance, as an increasingly seasoned detective who feels personally affronted by the crime he is investigating, unable to let it go due to the sheer outrageousness and senselessness of it, young men whose need to belong and be part of armies who are willing to endanger and take life for something as stupid as an area code. He is complimented by Keenan and O'Byrne as Rhy's grieving parents, O'Byrne bringing a quiet, bottled up angst as the father, with Keenan an emotional torrent as the mother.

During the film, Mel takes exception to Rhys being described as being 'in the wrong place at the wrong time.' It's a commonly thrown around soundbite, that is rather unintentionally thoughtless in its use. A very lawful world and a very uncivilised world do coexist by each other very unknowingly, and that world can sometimes reach up and bite with the most tragic of results. But it should always be that world that never has any place or any time, rather than the decent one. ****

An utterly captivating drama, perfectly executed over four episodes with not a single flaw to be found.

Top-notch writing, precision directing, exemplary performances from the entire cast, seamless editing, with music and cinematography that intelligently don't make themselves noticed (so nothing showy or artsy, just excellent scene-setting) perfectly paced with an overall sense of all-round good storytelling.

Every moment of this true-life drama was suffused with authenticity, integrity, and verisimilitude, with no audience manipulation to be detected (which doesn't mean it wasn't there; just that it was artfully and subtly done). This is a rare gem that is worth watching more than once, although the subject matter is grim. Top marks.

This is absolutely heart braking to watch, I defy anybody to watch this without shedding a tear. Based on the tragic real life events of young Rhys Jones, and his horrific and tragic murder. I understand that the parents of young Rhys were involved in the production of this drama, and I think that definitely helps with the grit and realism of the show, it doesn't feel like it's been sensationalised at any point, it feels very realistic.

Fantastic performances all round, I have forever been a fan of Stephen Graham, but he has gone up a notch with this, he's proved what an incredibly powerful actor he is.

It's tough viewing, and I've watched every episode in tears, but it's a story that is worth seeing, what that poor family went through. The scenes in Goodison Park are among the most powerful I've seen in years.

9/10

My heart goes out to the Jones family and all of those involved with seeking justice in this senseless killing of eleven year old Rhys Jones.

As an American, I had never heard of this terrible tragedy in the UK.

One thing is for sure, and familiar. Justice is a frustrating process, and one full of bureaucracy and achingly slow chain of command, and disappointing losses. It truly feels as though the criminals have more rights than the victims. And yet, holding out hope is inherently natural.

The actors are EXCELLENT in this series. Especially impressed with the actress Sinéad Keenan as the little boys mother. Strange that I do not recall seeing her in any other works. (and I mainly watch UK shows) Brian F. O'Byrne is also very impressive. Stephen Graham brings his charisma, and talent, effectively as well. Good to see Stephen Walters (eternally missed as Angus, on Outlander) in this too. All of the characters are worthy of attention and praise really.

The subject matter is hard, and heartbreaking.

The punks responsible = infuriating!

I find the way these sons speak to their mums hard to believe and absolutely abhorrent. It's cringe worthy. As a child, and as an adult, I would never have spoken to my mum or dad, or any family member in that way. It's so ugly, and quite shocking to view such portrayals. What a glimpse into horrid family dysfunction, and what is acceptable, or tolerated, behavior. And yes I realize these are dramatizations, and troubled kids in gang related territorial violence, but still.

Very glad I found this to view on BritBox this weekend.

Job well done by ALL.

Just wish it weren't a true story.