Oi!
This week on Texting, Tomek and I review the 2006 film This Is England. During our lengthy conversation, we praise the performances of Stephen Graham (as the menacing Combo) and Thomas “Ginger McCartney” Turgoose (as the likeable but easily manipulated Sean) and ultimately conclude that the film is a kind of “cinematic Bildungsroman” or coming-of-age story. Along the way, we make intertextual connections with Umberto Eco’s essay “Ur-Fascism” and the Bible, the films American History X, A Clockwork Orange, and Trainspotting, as well as songs like The Clash’s “This is England” (obviously), U.K. Subs’ “Warhead” (which I was delighted to discover as part of the film’s soundtrack), and The Police’s “Born in The 50’s” (reggatta de blanc, baby!).
Shout-out to friend of show Aidan for sending in audio clips with his thoughts and impressions of the film in question. These clips bookend the episode quite nicely.
FACT CHECK: Around the 40:40 mark, I mistakenly claim that the band Black Sabbath is from Manchester, whereas Ozzy and his merry men are actually from Birmingham. Please excuse that inexcusable error.
Next week Tomek and I will examine a text created by ChatGPT. Is the singularity already upon us? Stay tuned!
MW
"Maggie is a Twat"