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Starred Up: A Look into the Life of an Inmate
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be locked up in prison? If so, you might want to check out the movie “Starred Up.” This intense and gritty film takes viewers on a journey through the life of a young inmate who finds himself struggling to survive behind bars. But be warned: this is not a movie for the faint of heart.
The Storyline
The story of “Starred Up” revolves around Eric Love, a young man who has been transferred to an adult prison due to his violent behavior. Eric is a ticking time bomb, with anger issues that threaten to make him lash out at any given moment. He quickly becomes embroiled in the dangerous politics of prison life, where power struggles between inmates can turn deadly in an instant.
The tension is heightened by Eric’s complicated relationship with his father, Neville, who is also incarcerated in the same prison. Neville tries to mentor his son and keep him safe from harm, but he’s fighting his own battles and finding it increasingly difficult to protect those he cares about.
The Cast
“Starred Up” boasts a talented cast of actors, including Jack O’Connell (Eric Love), Ben Mendelsohn (Neville Love), and Rupert Friend (Oliver Baumer). Each actor delivers a powerful performance, bringing depth and emotion to their respective roles.
O’Connell, in particular, shines as the troubled Eric Love. He manages to convey the character’s inner turmoil and vulnerability, while also portraying his explosive anger with frightening intensity.
The Plot
The plot of “Starred Up” is unapologetically brutal and unforgiving. The movie does not shy away from showing the violent realities of life in prison, from the constant threat of physical assault to the tense power struggles between inmates.
At its core, however, “Starred Up” is a story about human connection. Despite the harsh environment they find themselves in, Eric and Neville manage to forge a bond that transcends their circumstances. Their relationship is complex and fraught with tension, but it’s also grounded in love and a deep sense of familial loyalty.
The Score and Popularity
The music score for “Starred Up” was composed by David Holmes. The score perfectly captures the film’s tense and gritty atmosphere, using a mix of electronic beats and atmospheric soundscapes.
Despite its dark subject matter and unflinching portrayal of violence, “Starred Up” has become a cult classic among movie buffs. Its raw and uncompromising approach to storytelling has garnered critical acclaim, and it’s widely regarded as one of the best prison movies of all time.
The Acting and Characters
The acting in “Starred Up” is top-notch, with each character feeling fully realized and multi-dimensional. Jack O’Connell delivers a career-defining performance as Eric Love, expertly navigating the character’s shifting emotions and inner turmoil.
Ben Mendelsohn also shines as Neville Love, bringing a quiet intensity to his portrayal of a father struggling to connect with his son in the most difficult of circumstances.
The History
“Starred Up” was directed by David Mackenzie and written by Jonathan Asser, who drew upon his own experiences working as a therapist in British prisons to craft the film’s haunting and authentic portrayal of prison life.
The movie premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August 2013, where it received critical acclaim. It went on to screen at numerous other festivals before receiving a limited release in theaters in the United States and United Kingdom.
The Evaluation
“Starred Up” is a visceral and unflinching look at the realities of life behind bars. It’s not a movie for everyone, as its unrelenting brutality can be difficult to stomach at times. However, for those who can handle it, “Starred Up” is a powerful and unforgettable cinematic experience.
The movie’s strengths lie in its uncompromising direction, strong performances, and haunting score. It manages to be simultaneously gritty and poetic, exploring complex themes of family, masculinity, and power dynamics in a way that feels both raw and authentic.
The Cinematography
The cinematography in “Starred Up” is both stylish and gritty. The film’s use of natural light gives it an almost documentary-like feel, while its use of slow-motion shots and close-ups add to the intensity of the action onscreen.
The camera work also does an excellent job of capturing the claustrophobic nature of prison life. The tight spaces, dim lighting, and constant surveillance all contribute to the feeling of being trapped in a world where violence is always just around the corner.
The Opinion
Personally, I found “Starred Up” to be an incredibly powerful and affecting movie. It’s not a film that I would necessarily recommend to everyone, as its unflinching portrayal of violence can be difficult to watch. However, for those who are willing to take the plunge, “Starred Up” is a rewarding and impactful cinematic experience.
The performances are outstanding across the board, with Jack O’Connell delivering a star-making turn as the troubled young inmate Eric Love. The father-son dynamic between Eric and Neville is also incredibly nuanced, with both actors bringing a depth of emotion to their respective roles.
The Scenes
There are many memorable scenes in “Starred Up,” but perhaps the most striking is the one where Eric gets into a fight with another inmate in the shower room. The scene is shot in slow motion, with the camera lingering on every blow and every drop of blood.
This scene perfectly captures the brutal nature of life in prison, where violence can erupt at any moment. It’s also a testament to Jack O’Connell’s incredible physicality as an actor, as he performs all his own stunts and fight choreography in the movie.
The Gossip
Despite its critical acclaim and cult following, there hasn’t been much gossip or scandal surrounding “Starred Up.” The movie remains relatively under-the-radar compared to other prison dramas like “The Shawshank Redemption” or “Orange is the New Black.”
However, the film’s director David Mackenzie has gone on to direct several other acclaimed movies, including “Hell or High Water” and “Outlaw King.”
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack for “Starred Up” was composed by David Holmes, who is known for his work on movies like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Hunger.” The score perfectly captures the film’s tension and grittiness, using a mix of electronic beats and atmospheric soundscapes.
There are also several memorable songs featured in the movie, including “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers and “The Bug” by Jerry Dammers. These songs help to establish the movie’s 1980s setting and add to its overall atmosphere of gritty realism.
The Analysis
“Starred Up” is a movie that rewards careful analysis and reflection. Its complex themes of family, masculinity, and power dynamics make it a rich text for interpretation.
One possible reading of the movie is that it’s a commentary on the failure of our criminal justice system. By showing us the brutal realities of life behind bars, as well as the psychological toll that incarceration can take on inmates and their families, “Starred Up” invites us to question whether our current approach to punishment is truly effective or just.
The Special Effects
“Starred Up” is not a movie that relies heavily on special effects, as its focus is more on gritty realism and character-driven drama. However, there are several scenes that feature some impressive practical effects.
The fight scenes in particular are incredibly well choreographed, with the actors performing all their own stunts and taking real hits. This adds to the movie’s overall sense of authenticity and immediacy.
The Dialogue
The dialogue in “Starred Up” is sparse and deliberately understated, with characters often communicating through gestures or silence rather than words. This approach helps to create a sense of emotional distance between characters, while also underscoring the isolation and loneliness of prison life.
However, when characters do speak, their words carry weight and significance. There are several memorable lines of dialogue in “Starred Up,” including Eric’s chilling proclamation that “I’m not like you lot. I’m an animal.”
The Crews
“Starred Up” was directed by David Mackenzie, who is known for his work on movies like “Young Adam” and “Perfect Sense.” The film was written by Jonathan Asser, a former prison therapist who drew upon his own experiences to craft the movie’s authentic and harrowing portrayal of life behind bars.
The movie’s cinematographer was Michael McDonough, who has worked on movies like “Winter’s Bone” and “Albert Nobbs.” The score was composed by David Holmes, a renowned electronic music artist who has contributed music to movies like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “The Killing.”
The Criticism
Like any movie, “Starred Up” is not immune to criticism. Some viewers have complained that the film’s unrelenting violence can be overwhelming at times, making it difficult to fully engage with the characters or the story.
Others have criticized the movie for its uncompromisingly bleak worldview, arguing that it offers little in the way of hope or redemption. It’s true that “Starred Up” is an unapologetically dark and difficult movie, but for those who are willing to brave its harsh realities, it offers a powerful meditation on the human condition.
The Production
“Starred Up” was produced by Film4 Productions, a British film company known for producing critically acclaimed movies like “Trainspotting” and “12 Years a Slave.” The film had a budget of around $4 million and was shot on location at various prisons throughout the United Kingdom.
The movie’s production design was overseen by Tom McCullagh, who worked closely with director David Mackenzie to create a realistic and immersive portrayal of prison life. The costumes were designed by Guy Speranza, who sought to accurately represent the fashion styles of the early 1980s.
The Editing
The editing in “Starred Up” is taut and suspenseful, with scenes often cut together to build tension and maintain momentum. The film’s editor was Nick Emerson, who has worked on movies like “Lady Macbeth” and “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.”
Emerson does an excellent job of pacing the movie’s many tense action scenes, while also allowing quieter moments between characters to breathe and resonate. His work helps to create a sense of forward momentum that drives the story towards its explosive and emotionally satisfying conclusion.
The Conclusion
“Starred Up” is not a movie for everyone. It’s an intense and unrelenting portrayal of life behind bars that pulls no punches in its depiction of violence and power struggles. However, for those who are willing to take the plunge, it offers a powerful meditation on themes like family, masculinity, and redemption.
The movie boasts strong performances from its talented cast, as well as tight direction from David Mackenzie and a haunting score from David Holmes. Its gritty realism may be hard to stomach at times, but it ultimately makes for an unforgettable cinematic experience.