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Sweet Sixteen (I) (2002) 7.4
Ratings:
7.4/10 from 8,001 users
Metascore: 86/100
Reviews: 73 user | 81 critic | 25 from Metacritic.com Determined to have a normal family life once his mother gets out of prison, a Scottish teenager from a tough background sets out to raise the money for a home. Director:Ken LoachWriter:Paul Laverty (screenplay) |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Martin Compston | ... |
Liam
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| William Ruane | ... | ||
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Annmarie Fulton | ... | |
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Michelle Abercromby | ... |
Suzanne
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Michelle Coulter | ... |
Jean
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Gary McCormack | ... |
Stan
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Tommy McKee | ... |
Rab
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Calum McAlees | ... |
Calum
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Robert Rennie | ... |
Scullion
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Martin McCardie | ... |
Tony
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Robert Harrison | ... |
Tony's gang
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George McNeilage | ... |
Tony's gang
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Rikki Traynor | ... |
Tony's gang
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Jon Morrison | ... |
Douglas
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Junior Walker | ... |
Night-time
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Liam is a young, restless teen struggling to realize his dream in the gritty and dismal streets of Greenock, where unemployment is rampant and little hope is available to the city's youth. He is waiting for the release of his mother, Jean, from prison where she is completing a prison term for a crime that her boyfriend actually committed. Her boyfriend, Stan, is a crude and obnoxious drug pusher is partnered by Liam's equally rough and foul-mouthed, mean-spirited grandfather. Liam is determined to rescue his mother from both of them, which means creating a safe haven beyond their reach. But first he's got to raise the cash--no small feat for a young man It's not long before Liam and his pals' crazy schemes lead them into all sorts of trouble. Finding himself dangerously out of his depth, Liam knows he should walk away. Only this time, he just can't let go. Written by Sujit R. Varma
Taglines:
It's you and Liam, against the world. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for pervasive strong language, drug content and some violence | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
4 October 2002 (UK) See more »Also Known As:
Afili delikanli See more »Box Office
Opening Weekend:
$3,276 (Hong Kong) (27 June 2003)Gross:
$304,676 (USA) (11 July 2003)Company Credits
Production Co:
Alta Films, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Road Movies Filmproduktion See more »
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Liam and Pinball are part of the Loach family.They have already lost when the film begins.From the very start ,the loachesque hero (or heroine) has to fight against a hostile world :he/she really got a raw deal.Think of the characters in "Kes" ,"Poor Cow" ,"Family life" "looks and smiles " or "ladybird ladybird" .The society does not care about them and when the movies ends,something worse might possibly be waiting for them.Loach's pessimism muted in the nineties and it seemed that at times there was some light in the darkness."Carla's song" ,"raining stones" and even "ladybird ladybird" -which equals "sweet sixteen " as far as the violence and the crudeness of the language are concerned- displayed some kind of hope.
"Sweet sixteen" (what a title!) finds Loach again in desperate hours.It might be his most somber work since "family life" (1972).
Like "Kes" 's hero,Liam's life is doomed to failure.Billy's hawk is the equivalent of Liam's mobile home.When the bird is killed and the mobile home is wrecked,nothing remains.What needs Liam is a strong shoulder to lean on ;like Billy or Janice ("family life" )he 's left on his own -Liam has Chantelle but the others are too numerous-.Like them,his only way is down.And however how much we side with him!All that he does,he does it for an irresolute mother -who was still a kid when she had us ,Liam tells his sister-.He does not realize that it's too late for his mom,that she is under her hateful lover's thumb,and that the quiet life (with his sister and little Calum) he longs for is only an illusion.
The last picture might be a nod to François Truffaut's "les quatre cents coups" .