Film Review: Neds

Neds (an acronym for ‘Non-educated delinquents’) is Peter Mullan’s third feature film as writer and director, coming eight years after his second, The Magdalene Sisters. The film takes place in a 70s dystopian Glasgow, a bleak feature with terrifying violence but also occasional touches of black comedy and surrealism. It is perhaps a touch long, however its slow pace and length is merited, as this pacing and style mimics the gradual destruction of the protagonist.

The film centres around John Mcgill, initially played by Greg Forrest, John is a diligent student who has just left primary school with excellent results. However, he now stands in an awkward place, in a frightening exchange outside his school gates, he is told his brother has made as many enemies through his violence as friends, these bullies warn they have John firmly in their sights. Although adamant he wouldn’t follow in his brother’s footsteps, John seeks his brother Benny’s help, unwittingly heading towards the pitfall he wanted to avoid. John’s secondary school experience: with negligent and cruel teachers, an aggressive alcoholic father, (a fantastic performance by Peter Mullan), alongside the final catalyst - crushing rejection by a middle class family, cement John on an inexorable downward spiral.

Just as he was an excellent student, he becomes an extraordinary gang member, surpassing all others in his capacity to commit violence and cruelty. This period of Mcgill’s life is played brilliantly by Conor McCarron, effortlessly moving between scenes as a humorous, disingenuous pupil, to a brutal thug. This is all the more incredible as it’s McCarron’s first feature performance. As the film is consistently very good it’s difficult to pick out noteworthy scenes, however I personally enjoyed McGill’s first acquaintance, (brought on by accident) with a knife in his hand, strutting around his bedroom in an echo of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. Another noteworthy scene taking place on a bus, McCarron in a brilliant, but crucially, non-violent display of power.

Mullan’s film is particularly effective as it’s not condescending or painfully didactic, one appreciates the situation John McGill is in, and that he has not arrived there intentionally, making him a more tragic and interesting character. The lack of resolution and perhaps, ‘meandering’ plot reinforce the hopelessness of McGill’s violent situation, preventing a clichéd or simplistic ending.

Neds is certainly not for everyone, it’s extremely grim and although ostensibly similar to films like This Is England, it almost entirely lacks the scenes of convalescent laughter that sit alongside the laughter in Shane Meadows’ work. Nevertheless it’s a great piece of cinema, with brilliant dialogue, photography and casting, it would be foolish to miss it.

By C.R