Kidulthood

While it’ll never get the spotlight it rightfully deserves, “Kidulthood” is a gritty, drama that showcases how a group of high school kids deal with the suicide of a classmate. It sounds simple, but it really isn’t. In fact, writer Noel Clarke (who also stars in the flick) exposes each of the film’s central characters revealing their fears, their life struggles, their relationships and how their all connected.

Whether you were the kid who was bullied or you witnessed the school loser being pushed around on a daily basis, you’ll be pulled into the powerful story-line without a chance to come up for air. The most fascinating aspect of the entire feature is realizing that although it’s set in West London, there’s not a whole lot of difference in these kids’ lives and the lives of the youth of America. The high school is flooded with clicks, from the gorgeous cheerleaders to the troubled hoodlums and “Kidulthood” showcases how the members of each interact with one another. Throwing the suicide of a classmate in the mix doesn’t exactly help them settle their differences. In fact, it makes their ongoing battles even worse.

The film primarily focuses on the more troubled groups, from their constant drug use, fighting and sexual relationships, but what the writer is trying to get across is that this kind of activity is taking place and this is far from the worst of what is going on this very second. Had Clarke went more in depth with the storyline and ventured into the more gritty events our youth is involved in, there’s a good chance “Kidulthood” could have very well been a horror movie.

Had there been a bit more development on behalf the characters, “Kidulthood” would have been damn near close to a perfect picture. Even so, the actors are remarkable. There have been many films capturing the lives of a group of teenagers, yet most of the actors portraying them looked far to old or were just utterly awful regarding their talent. Here, it’s not at all difficult to believe these are real teenagers dealing with real struggles. And come the final fifteen minutes, some viewers may find themselves soaked in tears.

“Kidulthood” is a wonderfully told drama that captures the dark events taking place in the lives of our youth. There’s not a single moment in which the viewer will feel the story-telling is farfetched because it isn’t. It’s a realistic depiction of a shattered society that should be looked upon with greater concern. This is a must-see!