Cast: Noel Clarke, Adam Deacon, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Jacob Anderson
Dir: Noel Clarke
Rating: 4/5
While many know leading man Noel Clarke better as Dr Who' Mickey Smith Adulthood shows the star off in a new light as he writes the script, directs and leads the cast in Adulthood, the sequel to 2006's Kidulthood.
Clarke returns as Sam Peel, picking up his story 6 years after Kidulthood, 2006’s critically acclaimed portrayal of life for 21st century teens.
Adulthood catches up with Sam upon his release from jail, having served 6 years for the manslaughter of rival Trife.
The film follows his journey over 24 hours as he is forced to confront the people he has hurt, and see first-hand the effects of his actions all those years ago.
Some have moved on, others are stuck with the repercussions of that night, but one thing’s for certain - everyone has been forced to grow up. As Sam struggles to deal with his guilt and adjust to the outside world, he also has to deal with those seeking revenge for Trife’s death.
As he is pursued through the streets of West London, he wonders if a new cycle of violence has started and if there is any way to bring an end to it as things start to escalate beyond his control.
Sequels never get a good rap lets face it but it looks like Adulthood is about to buck the trend and Clarke seems to have leant from mistakes of the past. He only penned and starred in the film's predecessor and he tried to cram every teen issue he could possibly think of into the ninety minute screenplay however he doesn't make the same mistake here.
The action all takes place in the space of twenty four hours so there is no room for packing too much into the script as there just isn't time and this proves to be a strong aspect of the film.
The film has a tighter focus on the lead character of Sam Peel who is released from jail after six years for manslaughter as he struggles to escape from his past as those who want revenge plot to make him pay, chasing his through the streets of London.
Instead of looking at teen issues Adulthood instead looks at the issues of the individual characters in particular Sam as the audience gets a brief look at his difficult time in prison, where he tried to take his life because of bullying from older inmates, as he tries to find a new path to follow that doesn't involve violence.
Another good turn comes from new actress Scarlett Alice Johnson who hides her own secrets scarred by a rape ordeal and battling with a drug addiction but befriends Sam.
Given the social issues that currently surround knife crime and violent streets Clarke's Adulthood depicts the grime reality of the harsh streets of London and the acting on the whole is very good.
If you were a fan of the first film then this is definitely worth a watch, and you don't have to have seen it to be able to enjoy this.
Adulthood is a fast paced, violent movie about redemption, revenge and letting the past go and Clarke makes a good case for himself as a scriptwriter and movie maker.
Adulthood is out now on DVD
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw