100 Streets (2016) Reviews

• Lives in London

  Gordon-112016-11-25

  This film tells the story of several residents in inner London. They are from different social classes, ranging from a sport superstar living in fancy mansions, to young man who struggles to break free from being a small time criminal. I can't even remember why I wanted to watch it in the first place. Perhaps it was because of the two notable stars, Idris and Gemma. They portray a couple who are going through relationship issues, but unfortunately their story is not very engaging. The ending of their story is simply unrealistic and over-dramatised. For the subplot of the young man who wants to embark on the right path, it is the more engaging story. It is sad that his mentor died, but unfortunately the story telling just is not very captivating. This subplot should evoke sympathy and emotions, but it does nothing to me. Maybe it is because the characters in the film have little emotional displays, they just get on with their lives in an ordinary manner. The resultant film is not as touching or affecting as one could have hoped.

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• Raw, intense and very watchable

  nickwhite-196452018-08-01

  Netflix suggested I watch this after seeing 'Brighton Rock' and I can see why. The intensity of the characters' demise and their struggle to make sense of what happens makes for compelling viewing.The setting is everything, from the local football club to Battersea Bridge and all streets in between. While the characters don't cross over too much (which might make it a bit of a soap opera) they make subtle references which keeps the viewer guessing. I guess the theme is around disintegration and how we all cope when things seem to deteriorate. A really absorbing film, well worth a watch.

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• Don't watch this film. It's just not good. Only one minor spoiler

  MaesterFilm2017-02-05

  I read some bad reviews for this film but as a fan of Elba I just covered my eyes and ears and said "nananana." I was wrong. This film is just not good. If you've seen the trailer, that's about it. The whole film is in there. The production qualities are high, the acting is mostly good, but the film is less than the sum of its parts. They should've focused on one story and expanded on it, instead of getting hints, glimpses and slices of different, completely-unrelated lives. SPOILER I thought the stories would be intertwined, a sort of cause-and-effect type thing like many films do, but no. The stories happen in parallel. They don't really affect one another. This film could've been presented as a bunch of short films about people in London and they would've been rated poorly. END SPOILER There simply isn't enough time to deal with all these stories. If you think that 90 minutes is enough time to deal with a failing marriage and affairs, a death, a misfit in a lethal street gang and a few subplots (if you can call them that) then this film is for you. The trailer made it look to be all about Elba and probably revealed most of the Elba stuff. The rest is just inconsequential. The film consists of several subplots and has no major plot or overarching narrative. It's sad to waste all the talent that went into this film - actors, director, crew, etc. when the script is so horrendously poor.

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• Brilliant use of screen time

  belindamissen-12017-04-05

  Following the lives of three central characters, 100 Streets takes you on a journey through central London, through lives, loves, and loss. Around those three characters, their satellites, who are all just as important as them, for they help shape and define their futures. A film about snap decisions, the bigger picture, and what ifs, this is a great film in the style of Pawno (Paul Ireland, 2015). Very glad I picked this one up; you will be, too.

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• Indie Offers Some Rewards

  larrys32017-03-14

  Although this intense British drama is not for everyone, I felt it does offer some rewards if one sticks with it. It depicts various interconnected stories of Londoners and a roller coaster of human lives and emotions. The film can be dark and violent at times, but it can also be quite touching and uplifting as well. Most of the characters here are flawed in one way or another, but I thought the ensemble cast portrayals were top notch. The director Jim O'Hanlon and screenwriter Leon F. Butler are making their feature film debuts here, but O'Hanlon does have extensive writing experience in television. To note, this is an adult drama with explicit language throughout, one fairly explicit sex scene, drug and alcohol usage on screen, and one brief scene of nudity. I also should mention I had to use the subtitles here due to thick accents and slang usage. Overall, this indie can be very uncomfortable to watch at times but I felt there are rewards here if the viewer sticks with it.

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