Slick and provocative, 100 STREETS wanders along the interwoven paths of Londoners who live within a square mile of each other.
Directed By Jim O'Hanlon
Genre: Drama
The film follows the volatile relationship of a glamorous-yet-troubled former rugby player Max (Idris Elba) and his wife, Emily (Gemma Arterton) as they repeatedly clash and reconcile. Elba gives a gritty performance as the long-suffering Max, tormented by the exploits of his self-obsessed on and off wife. Emily’s actions lead to Max’s lust and drug fuelled decline, which culminates in some of the film’s most dramatic moments. While Max immerses himself in selfies and cocaine, Emily, who is elegantly portrayed by Arterton, suffers greatly under the pressures of which good-looking man’s attentions to pander to and what to do when her credit cards are declined.
Meanwhile, borderline cliché Kingsley (Franz Drameh) is an angry young man/philosopher struggling to shift from a life of crime and violence to one of understanding, and performing arts. Drameh’s portrayal is understated and convincing, as Kingsley finds himself trapped in a vicious cycle of peer-pressure and violence, a result of being sentenced to community service. It is during this period of enforced work that Kingsley meets Terence (eloquently portrayed by Ken Stott) who enables him to see a way out.
The third and most powerful element of the film follows Kierston Wareing and Charlie Creed-Miles in stunning performances as George and Kathy, a hard-working and altruistic couple, hoping to adopt a child. The film tends towards melodrama and this subplot is no different, but it is delivered with enough gravitas and style to be both convincing and moving.
Entertaining and engaging, 100 STREETS is a film that reminds us how small moments can have a big impact.
Holly Darling Freeman
