URBAN HYMN REVIEWED
“Urban Hymn” is a film set during the London Riots of 2011. Remember that, as the film seems to forget about it in 10 minutes flat. The rest of the film is quiet social worker bonding with abandoned child over music and life. The two bring out their darkest secrets and then work to overcome them. This is also the first film from Michael Caton-Jones since “Basic Instinct 2” landed with a wet thud.
I’m not going to put the film’s faults on the director. He’s a very capable talent that made an insanely well-crafted movie. It’s just not interesting. How many times do we need to have aged Caucasian figures lend a hand to inner-city abandoned youth? These kids are people, not fawns you’re nursing back to health. The reason I don’t bomb the film out is because it’s a tightly made drama from an underrated talent.
I just wish that a degree of that same ability could’ve been poured on the script. Trite to say the least.
FILM STATS
- Not Rated
- 1 hr and 54 mins
- Level 33
