Shank (2009)

I'll tell you why so serious

Absolutely brilliant

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Fairly intense boy-meets-boy, falls in love story, but with a twist. Gang member Cal (Wayne Virgo), a closeted gay, comes to the defense of innocent gay teen Olivier after Cal's gang begins beating him. Cal is ostracized from his gang, which includes his best friend Jonno. The upper class Olivier invites Cal to stay with him as Cal avoids threats of violence from his former gang, who discover Cal's hidden gay past. Sparks fly and a relationship forms, but will Cal's terrible past come back to haunt him? Fairly watchable film shot in England. I give this film a 6 of 10, fair to good and worth watching. Manages to form realistic characters. A lot of frontal nudity and graphic simulated sex scenes throughout. Graphic rape and harsh language. Some reviewers criticize the acting of the actor playing Olivier, but I found it realistic and believable. A film that stands enough on its own to warrant a watch. "

I'm going to start by saying that this film is one of the best examples of "deceptive advertising" as it was sold as a "Skins meets Latter Days" and it ended up being a dull story about disrupted teenagers. The lack of originality was the main plate.First of all that was not a gang by any means. It was simply a group of freaks vandalizing everything on sight and assaulting people just for fun. Gangs deal with drug trafficking, arms, robberies... You wanna watch a gang-related gay film try "Our Lady of the Assassins" that one does deal with the reality thousands of teenagers in gangs have to deal.Anyways, moving onto the characters none of them make anything good to the film. Cal was a complete fraud: Somehow "attracted" to his friend Jonno yet they never engage in anything and that sudden attraction to Olivier made no sense at all. Why would he help him in the first place? Love at first sight? It was a very ridiculous move. Jonno's attraction to Cal was way too obvious. So obvious that it makes you thing he was the "closeted gay trying to come out". During the first 20 mins. I thought they would eventually end up together. About Olivier could he be any more queerer? and well Nessa I don't even want to talk about her.However what made this film an unforgiven waste of time were those over-the-edge coincidences. Just look at this: Cal's boyfriend, Olivier, happened to be one of Scott's student. Scott hook up with the guy (Cal) who put his partner into comma while he was at the hospital. Oh what a coincidence! The filmmaker was trying to show his Gonzalez-Iñarritu's abilities but he failed big time.I wish I could have rated this 0/10.Cheers.

Filmed in Bristol, England, UK on a non-existent budget of 20,000 euros (28,000 USD) with a cast made up almost entirely of first-timers to feature film, "Shank" is one of my all time favorites."Shank" is the story of teenaged "scallie" gang banger, Cal (Wayne Virgo), who is realizing his true desire for other men. In particular, his best friend and fellow gang member Jonno (Tom Bott) with whom he shares several very intimately awkward moments. His gang is known for filming the beatings that they frequently dish out to innocent bystanders. However, when the gang jumps an attractive young gay man, Olivier (Marc Laurant), Cal reaches his breaking point stopping the beating.Having left his gang stranded to go and help the bloodied young man, Cal is now the target of their rage. Can these two young men from opposing worlds and different understandings of oneself survive all that is thrown their way? Directed by 21 year old Simon Pearce, "Shank" is a gritty and unapologetic look at a coming-out story that has never been seen before. Wayne Virgo is an extremely talented newcomer, who also happens to be a gorgeous young man with great attributes which are seen throughout out the movie."Shank" is violent and unsettling at times, sensual and compassionate at others, and has a well-balanced use of intimacy and nudity. All of which is necessary to truly tell this story of self-discovery and love. Most importantly it pulls you into the story from the moment it starts and holds you til the very end. Making you care for and feel for the characters, "Shank" is a perfect blend of every element that a good movie is made of.With it's gripping script (written by Darren Flaxstone and Christian Martin), beyond-their-years-in-talent acting, and superb direction and cinematography, "Shank" is a low-budget film that can stand against any Hollywood powerhouse...Just letting you know...

Watch the opening even if it is hard to do. It will take a while before everything starts to fall into place. UK street punk with the life he is use to is trying to find his real self. There are many subplots to this film which are not understood or known until late in the film. I think this is a great film and believe it will remain one of my favorites.The plot I will not go into for to do so would totally ruin watching the movie. Hang in there and you will see a film which will make you think a lot.Since I am an American, it took a little getting use to the UK setting with cars driving on the left, yet it would be easy to have made this movie in the US. Give it a try.