Customer Reviews

Young Soul Rebels [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree wholeheartely with the last reviewer. He eloquently expressed the very essence of the film. This is a movie of London in the Era of Thatcher and gay freedom and racial discrimination and black pride. I was totally surprised that the guy who is indeed the murderer was portrayed as such a milktoast until he threatens the young man who was framed for the murder by overzealous cops, or maybe the term is bobbies in Britain. I thought the sex scene was very erotic and the two men had received a dose of peer pressure attempting to guilt trip them into aborting their gay inter racial relationship. They encoutered such hatred, but wisely chose to ignore the small minds of the bigoted. I enjoyed the music of Philly which reminded me of my youth in the 70s at The Philadelphia College of Art .Funkadelic, Parliament, The O' Jays made the soundtrack rich and energetic. The portraits of park sex goes back to a different more carefree era before the scourge of AIDS. I guess
that is not true in this instance as one man paid with his life for his park tryst. I would admit that my gaydar was way off as the man who was picked up by the cops as the presumed murderer was straight, not gay. I guess also another joy of this film is the mixing of all different sorts of people, enriching their lives immensely. Especially tense was the cops expressing their racial bigotry towards any black men they came into contact with. Although it doesn't seem realistic, it was fun to see the black men giving it back to the mean spirited cops which they deserved for their obnoxious behavoir. The DVD was very crisp and the clothing was fun and colorful and the portrayal of the club scene in all it's eccentricities was entertaining. I have wanted to see this movie since it came out in the early 90s and I know I will watch it again and again. I wish I had not waited this long to see it. I also echo what the last reviewer said about the gay men not being stereotypes, which was so refreshing. Director Isaac Julien has created a very interesting thriller
the has the success of making the viewer wish for more movie when it is over, it is the perfect length, perfectly edited, so entertaining and a message that gives the viewer something to think about. I would compare this movie favorably with the movie of the late 70's "Cruising" which was too bloody and disturbing and if I recall correctly featured more stereotypical portraits of gay men. This movie was never sensationalistic in any way. I'm looking forward to seeing what the future customers of Amazon have to say about this special film. Two reviews are not enough for this brilliant movie!!! Oh I almost forgot to mention how interesting it was that they used the audiotape that had been in the boombox of the man who was murdered and how it had accidently recorded the murder, and then fell into the hands of the young man who was picked up by the cops and interrogated as the presumed murderer, because his little sister had retrieved the boombox in the park where the killer had ditched it. It kept the murder front and center in the minds of the viewers through the film, which was very effective and clever. I highly recommend this movie. Buy it as you will probably want to watch it again and again !!!!!

This may not be quite Hollywood quality, but it is an excellent little film. The writing and acting are well done. The set design, cinematography and costumes--as well as the plot line and language--seemed authentic to the period. The fact that it takes place in Great Britain gives it a particularly interesting twist. As gay genre movies go, this is one of the best I've seen.

good british period film dealing with murder music and gay lifestyle in 1977 england.the film has something for everyone. music of the disco era gay/straight relationships and mystery.acting is good and story moves at a fairy decent pace.