The latest instalment of Shane Meadows’ cult This Is England series appeared on our screens last night as This Is England ’90 kicked off in a sea of alcohol, cigarette smoke, glow sticks and Madchester inspired sounds.
As has become tradition with the series now into its 3rd era, the minute the one before ends you want the one after. The series has developed quite a following during it’s 5 year life span to date with its cutting edge style and fantastic soundtrack. Boasting a cast featuring Steve Graham (Boardwalk Empire), Vicky McClure (Svengali), Joe Gilgun (Misfits) among others, This Is England doesn’t lack star-power but writer and director Shane Meadows creates a unique setting and atmosphere in which to let the drama unfold. The series is based on a group of discontented, anti-establishment youths and their exploits throughout the mid to late 80s and early 90s, chronicling their lives without brunt and at times unbearable honesty and grit.
Bursting onto our screens with the usual fanfare of past instalments, TIE ’90 gave an early impression of things looking up for the group at least initially. Strongly focused around the 90s rave scene, the series opener began with an epic montage featuring the resignation of Margaret Thatcher to “There She Goes” by The La’s. Waving an un-sympathetic goodbye to Thatcher regime and an enthusiastic hello to 90s acid house and rave culture, set an early tone of positivity.
Past series’ have seen harsh realities and brutal truths come to the forefront for the gang with rape and murder and edgy content featuring prominently throughout. An early impression was of things looking up for Woody (Joe Gilgun) and Lol (Vicky McClure) in 1990, last seen crying in a hospital, the duo were now playing happy families, despite their relatively un-orthodox family situation. Positivity looked to have continued amongst the other members with Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) and co finding a new lease of life too.
One thing prominent throughout the early encounters is that the cast hasn’t lost any of the witty charm we’ve loved in the past. First seen in this series when Gadget (Andrew Ellis) asks dinner-lady Lol in one scene (whilst wangling a free dinner) alongside Milky (Andrew Shim): “Why do you always run out of chips? Everyone loves chips. Just make more chips and make people happy.” It’s that wit that has made us laugh through the tears in the past and it’s not lost here.
There’s a few distinctive new looks amongst the gang, a few new haircuts and the odd fashion update which is to be expected with the drift from late 80s to early 90s style. Fred Perry is more prominent than ever before in the wardrobe of the cast as it enters its 90s heyday and no-one has ever looked as good in Fred Perry as Vicky McClure. The majority of the gang are in good spirits especially if you place the mood alongside it’s 2010 counterpart in TIE ’86. Flip and Higgy of ’86 return with their cartoon like “sniff-banging” antics which when placed alongside the real and often brutal highs and lows of the rest of the gang, although funny, kind of feel out of place.
All that a side there’s one distinct character down in the dumps. Shaun. He’s spiralling out of control, fast, with his relationship troubles constantly weighing him down (that oh so clear feeling to any young man watching.) His pals try to re-ignite his spark but there’s dark clouds hanging over him as the rest of the gang drift on.
Despite the early positives there’s a very real feeling of the group gradually drifting apart in painful inevitability. Woody and Lol are becoming a stable family and there are signs of them slowly drifting away from the group and Milky could well follow suit. However there’s still many laughs to be had and tears to be cried between now and the what we’re told could be the series finale in a few weeks time, so the gang could yet evolve and shift in different directions than early signs show.
One things for sure Shane Meadows has nailed it once again. This Is England ’90 offers the perfect balance between stomach-achingly funny laughs and dark tragedy, something that only he can get so spot on in this setting.
This Is England returns to Channel 4 with Episode 2, next Sunday at 9pm.
Words Jake Marley.