Peter Bradshaw 

The Scouting Book for Boys

Thomas Turgoose (from This Is England) stars in a dark story of two teenagers on a Norfolk holiday caravan site, says Peter Bradshaw
  
  


Warm, sympathetic and relaxed performances from Thomas Turgoose (from Shane Meadows's This Is England) and Holly Grainger are what carry this dark story of two teenagers on a Norfolk holiday caravan site – together with some lovely images from cinematographer Robbie Ryan. Turgoose is David, the lonely teenage son of the camp's resident entertainer, who does a cheesy singing act at the wretched on-site "nightclub"; Grainger is Emily, the daughter of Sharon, who runs the camp shop. Having grown up together, they're almost like brother and sister. This turns into an involved, melodramatic story, crowned with a moment of violence which is almost unwatchable as well as silly, closing off a storyline which was in any case beginning to unravel. The narrative isn't entirely convincing, but the powerful and heartfelt performances from Turgoose and Grainger are.

 

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