Adulthood

Jun 20 2008 The Journal

(1hr 39mins) Starring: Noel Clarke, Adam Deacon, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Danny Dyer. Director: Noel Clarke

NOEL Clarke’s hard-hitting snapshot of 21st Century life on the streets of London paints a gloomy picture of a world dominated by sex and drugs, where respect is earned by pummelling a rival into submission.

Set six years after the events of Kidulthood, this sequel is a vanity project for writer and actor Clarke, who takes control behind the camera as well.

Admittedly, the 22-year-old delivers the most compelling performance in the film, but you’d expect nothing less when he gifts himself the best lines.

Unfortunately, his ear for dialogue hasn’t improved and the portrayals of his co-stars feel as fake and contrived as some of the conversations, laden with expletives and street slang.

Six years after Sam (Noel Clarke) killed rival Trife, he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping ground in West London, still plagued by guilt.

The ex-con sets about tracking down the people he hurt, but none of them are in a mood to absolve Sam of his sins, especially Trife’s best friend Jay (Adam Deacon).

If Adulthood is an honest and unflinching representation of modern Britain, then heaven help us.