Mini Movie Review: "London Town" (2016)

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“London Town” is a British coming of age movie that will delight fans of the Clash. Set in the late 1970s, the movie centers on 14-year-old Shay (Daniel Huttlestone) living in a London suburb with father Nick (Dougray Scott) and little sister. He has idolized mother Sabdrine (Natascha McElhone) despite her taking off and abandoning her family. Shay is bullied at school and chafes at having to work in Nick’s failing piano shop. Nick drives a cab at night to make ends meet. The kid has reached that rebellious age ripe for influence and the trigger is the Clash. Sent on a business errand to London on the train, Shay meets Vivien (Nell Williams) a cute little punk rocker introducing him to the Clash. His transformation begins by dying his hair jet black and standing up for himself at school. The plot’s true catalyst is Nick’s serious accident sending him to intensive care. Shay must man up in a hurry to prevent social services from swooping in. He keeps the shop open and with Vivien’s help, learns to drive the cab. One night he picks up the Clash’s Joe Strummer (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) who is amused by the boy. Out of desperation, Shay locates his mother and faces the harsh reality Sandrine is an irresponsible Bohemian druggy living with her young lover in a squat who will do nothing to help. Vivien scores tickets to a Clash concert resulting in a riot landing Shay in sharing a jail cell with Strummer. Improbable but sets up a bonding crucial to the conclusion. Shay comes up with an idea to save the shop but it all hinges on Strummer. There is a fantasy element to “London Town” since how many teenagers become best mates with a rock star and get to hang out at band practice but it is fun. The important part is these experiences are shaping Shay into a responsible fine young man who learns to appreciate his father. Vivien acted tough in the beginning and is at heart a kind and caring person. Ultimately the Clash’s music did affect Shay but he taps into what he possessed all along. Performances are uniformly good with Huttlestone and Williams showing promise. Rhys-Meyers seems to be having fun playing a rock icon. Was there meaning that “I Fought the Law” concluded the movie? “London Town” is a nice little movie despite receiving poor reviews.