The Violators *** (2015, Lauren McQueen, Brogan Ellis, Stephen Lord, Liam Ainsworth, Derek Barr) – Movie Review

Debut writer-director Helen Walsh’s 2015 film is powerful stuff, telling a very intense and involving story, with acting that is very good from some fresh, young talents.

Lauren McQueen is especially impressive as troubled teenager Shelly, who meets Rachel (Brogan Ellis), another dysfunctional girl from a very different, rich background, prompting the duo to set off on a collision course.

The imaginatively shot film (fine cinematography by Tobin Jones) gets a lot of mileage from its little-seen setting in the ghastly wastelands of Cheshire’s urban overspill. Stephen Lord makes a memorable villain as the abusive, older pawnshop owner Mikey, and Liam Ainsworth is appealing as the young soldier Kieran who helps Shelly out in her hour of need, while Derek Barr convinces as her awful older brother Andy.

The Violators goes really, really well almost to the very end, then slightly stumbles by strapping on a hopeful ending. Shelly’s struggles and cynicism are a lot more interesting and convincing than her hope and redemption. And maybe 100 minutes isn’t enough for such a journey – it needs a Les Misérables epic length to pull it off.

Nevertheless, everything else does feel raw, real and authentic in a gripping, edgy, often edge-of-seat movie that’s properly uncomfortable and unsettling. McQueen is the best thing about it, a class act, and long may she reign.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Movie Review
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