Blue Story (2019) Review

An Urban crime drama, powered by a fresh vision.

**Spoilers Ahead**

Blue Story poster

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Having had the chance to see ’Blue Story’ in cinemas a week early via the unlimited screening perk of membership with CineWorld, I can truly say that this film was something from left field, and the experience of seeing it in such an environment has truly left an impression on me, one that was unexpected.

Personally, I’m a big fan of the urban set drama and how such films offer an alternate, far more gritty and grim look at life in the English Capital and how so much can be very different a matter of boroughs apart. That’s a rule that’s practically universal, being from the North of England I can say the same about areas around me which have a similar contrast but lack representation in media generally. Typically this genre of film if you will could be criticised for all being a bit “samey” with the London set texts far too often focussing on the lives of gun toting gang members rather than say the kitchen sink family drama, so for a heavily populated genre it requires something special to truly stand out and frankly Rapman’s directorial debut has that little bit extra.

Blue Story, is the tale of Timmy (Stephen Odubola) and Marco (Micheal Ward) who become very close friends after meeting around the age of 11 and focuses on how their friendship around 5 years after that is tested and ultimately broken as these gangs become more of a staple in the lives of the teenage boys and how ultimately their toxicity towards each other ends in tragedy. Thanks to seeing it well in advance of release I’ve seen very little said about this feature but of the odd article I have come across the “Shakespearian” tag is frankly well deserved. This is a grand tale and featuring warring families there’s clear influence or at least commonalities which lead to the deserving nature of such statements and if we were to include it in the countless Shakespeare adaptations or inspired movies in that ‘universe’ this has to be up there near the top alongside the likes of “10 Things I Hate About You” (d. Gil Junger, 1999), truly great in it’s own right and one that could easily stand the rest of time given that there’s been a constant moral panic regarding gang affiliated youth for as long as I’ve been on earth and I’m no doubt will continue to wage on. Deptford born Timmy has a brotherly connection to Peckham‘s Marco and as tensions rise between the two boroughs and the chance encounters between street level soldiers and an old friend Key (Khali Best) Marco soon severs ties with his friend after having his arm broken by men in Deptford following a meaningless sexual encounter in that borough. Timmy meanwhile shows his softer side and after finally getting confidence to date Leah (Karla-Simone Spence) the two blossom a relationship which proves to be the major catalyst for what follows. Spending the majority of the first act with the two lads, this divergence is needed, we see how they share a brotherly love for each other and how the small circle works and such their individual transitions into manhood played by cross cut sex scenes plant the seeds of separation, Timmy consummating his first love while Marco set out only for the story to brag to his peers rather than any deeper meaning painting him as somewhat of a shallow character and bad individual, seeped with toxic masculinity. As females enter into their existence in an intimate manner the boys are split, Marco seeing himself above the star crossed Leah and Timmy while the rest of the school see them as their very own Beyonce and Jay-Z it’s a bit of a fast jump to see Marco snap so easily (much like his arm) which is a slight detriment to the film as a whole, so much happens within such a short run time it’s remarkable to see a coherent narrative at all, let alone such a compelling one. After insulting his girlfriend Timmy lays a beat down on Marco in front of the whole school and as Ward’s character is turned upon by even his remaining friends, he succumbs to his brothers wishes and starts to “ride” for the Peckham boys. Recovered from his arm break, he rolls on Timmy with 4 others and proceeds to attack him at a bus stop. Leah interferes and is killed in the process, after putting up a strong resistance Marco grabs a loose brick and clicks his friend with it, cue another appearance by Rapman and the end of act two. Awaking from a coma Timmy reunites with Key and becomes a member of the ’Ghetto Boys of Deptford’ our seeking revenge. Marco after being released from prison returns to gang life beside his older brother Switcher. Quickly rising up the ranks of Ghetto Boys, Timmy becomes known as ‘YM’ (Young Madders) the protege of the gangs leader, and so rolls around yet another fateful night where the Ghetto Boys come across a drunken Marco and attack. Timmy nearly getting his revenge Switcher appears from nowhere, knocking out Madders and laying into him, leaving Marco to stab him in the back, crippling him for life. The scene becoming too hot, all the Ghetto Boys manage to escape and plan another move. Marco and Switcher falling out the former is ready to kill to make up for his now fractured relationship with his older brother, recruiting his cousin the two lure Key into playing both sides and appear to give him the drop on where to find Marco. A scarred Timmy and Madders grab the van and Key, head out to get weapons only to find the stash to have been taken already. Separated Key holds Madders at gun point as Marco sets fire to the van which holds Timmy who can’t escape. A gunshot rings out and Marco leaves, for as much as his position has been threatened by his arrival Madders attempts to free our avenging protagonist and is broken to find he was too late. Police drag him away and we cut to the Ghetto Boys’ block, where the new proclaimed “YM” has given up his dreams in music to avenge his hero, and so the cycle continues. Rapman makes his final appearance to sing out the film nearly wrapping up the loose ends of Marco and the conspirators who all receive varying prison sentences.

Rapman, known for his socially conscious music and vastly experimental Shiro’s Story, adapted his 15 minute web series of the same name into this film, produced by BBC Films on a modest sub £2 million pound budget and with a cast and crew of over 75% BAME heritage it’s important that this film can grace any screen. It’s so culturally important and groundbreaking to have such a piece of art on screen and frankly letting Rapman have the chance to make this its breathed new life into the urban drama whilst also showing how music both exclusively original, and big name tracks can be used in a way which breaks what film typically uses it for. Experimental in form and teeming with a fresh new attitude of a voice that needs to be heard to explain how such tragedy occurs. The heartbreaking news footage at the end of the film in the vein of Blackkklansman (d. Spike Lee, 2018) it’s a polemic from Rapman and notes how such violence is never ending on the streets of a deprived city thats shadowed by a Utopian Metropolis. Harrowing and heartbreaking it’s a film that must be watched and if anything is a shame it’ll get a limited release and not touch those who need to see it most.

Blue Story, the bleak tragedy of two boys is on screens from the 22nd of November here in the UK, do not miss out, a true gem of a film.