Clapham Junction (2007) (TV)

Director:

Adrian Shergold

Writer:

Kevin Elyot (writer)

Release Date:

22 July 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

36 hours in the lives of a number of gay men in Clapham, South London. |

Plot Keywords:

Voyeurism | Homophobic Violence | Male Rear Nudity | First Time Sex | Glory Hole

Cast

Tom Beard	...	Roger Hopkirk
James Bellamy	...	Black Youth 2
Robin Berry	...	Man in Toilet 2
Rachael Blake	...	Belinda Hopkirk
Samantha Bond	...	Marion Rowan
Stuart Bunce	...	Gavin
Philip Childs	...	Newscaster
Jason Frederick	...	Black Youth 1
Richard Freeman	...	Registrar
Rupert Graves	...	Robin Cape
Stephen Hagan	...	TV Assistant
Jefferson Hall	...	Mail Man
Johnny Harris	...	Tough Man
Francis Lee	...	Murray
David Leon	...	Alfie Cartwright

Runtime:

120 min | Germany:104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, Hampstead, London, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Television

Movie Connections:

References Maurice (1987)

A big disappointment from an otherwise very talented writer

This is the kind of drama that I suspect will be loved by straight television critics and loathed by gay men. It would be easy to say that it holds up a mirror to ourselves and that we simply don't like the reflection, but my reasons for disliking this drama run somewhat deeper than that.

On the plus side, it's universally well performed and often well directed. London feels magical, but it's hardly authentic. The biggest problem is characterisation - or that lack of it. Characters are reduced to ciphers - they are stand-ins for a series of situations and issues. I don't need to love characters (and indeed, there's absolutely no one to love here), but I do want to engage in their lives and concerns. I want to get under their skin, to understand them more by the end than when I started watching two hours previously.

The drama takes place over 24 or so hours in the life of 7 (or maybe 8) gay or bisexual men and youths. Different story lines are juggled and the various characters find their lives engaging with others - often by the most spurious and improbable of coincidences.

It's as if writer Kevin Elyot wants to throw in every concern and thought he's ever had about gay life into a single drama. As a result, nothing seems satisfyingly explored and only the surface of some very big issues is scratched.

Is Clapham Junction bad? No, but from this otherwise talented writer it's a very big disappointment. I can't help wondering who he and Channel 4 thought that they were making it for.