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IMDbPro

Strong Language

  • 20002000
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 16m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
128
YOUR RATING
Strong Language (2000)
  • Comedy
  • Crime
While a narrator tells the story of a night of terror that changes his life forever, 16 young people chat about their lives in London. With topics ranging from the drug "ecstasy," to AIDs an... Read allWhile a narrator tells the story of a night of terror that changes his life forever, 16 young people chat about their lives in London. With topics ranging from the drug "ecstasy," to AIDs and one-night stands, to the sound of BritPop, and to the urban issues of racism, punk, hool... Read allWhile a narrator tells the story of a night of terror that changes his life forever, 16 young people chat about their lives in London. With topics ranging from the drug "ecstasy," to AIDs and one-night stands, to the sound of BritPop, and to the urban issues of racism, punk, hooliganism, and the London Police, the film documents funny and revealing insights with an un... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
128
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Simon Rumley
  • Writer
    • Simon Rumley
  • Stars
    • Ricci Harnett
    • Kelly Marcel
    • Tania Emery
Top credits
  • Director
    • Simon Rumley
  • Writer
    • Simon Rumley
  • Stars
    • Ricci Harnett
    • Kelly Marcel
    • Tania Emery
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos

    Strong Language (2000)
    Strong Language (2000)
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    Top cast

    Edit
    Ricci Harnett
    Ricci Harnett
    • Nathanas Nathan
    Kelly Marcel
    Kelly Marcel
    • Phillipaas Phillipa
    Tania Emery
    • Zoeas Zoe
    Julie Rice
    • Tattyas Tatty
    Thomas Dyton
    • Boy Racer Tritonas Boy Racer Triton
    Robyn Lewis
    • Corrineas Corrine
    Stuart Laing
    • Markas Mark
    Shireen Abdel-Moneim
    • Hayleyas Hayley
    Al Nedjari
    • Peteras Peter
    Paul Tonkinson
    • Dannyas Danny
    Ruth Purser
    • Janeas Jane
    Charles De'Ath
    Charles De'Ath
    • Stuartas Stuart
    • (as Charlie De'Ath)
    Elaine Britten
    • Joas Jo
    Chris Pavlo
    • Tonyas Tony
    Kate Allenby
    • Lydiaas Lydia
    Colin Warren
    • Colinas Colin
    David Groves
    David Groves
    • The Narratoras The Narrator
    • Director
      • Simon Rumley
    • Writer
      • Simon Rumley
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was originally titled "'Thon" as in "talkathon."
    • Connections
      Followed by The Truth Game (2001)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A brave experiment that works brilliantly
    Strong Language is one of those films that sounds like an awful idea on paper: a little-known, independent British film, made on a tiny budget with a virtually unknown cast. On top of that, there is no real plot (although there is a continuous story - more about that in a moment) and the actors are, for the most part, working from a script that they themselves helped to write in extensive improvisation sessions. The film is also perhaps unique in having seventeen cast members, none of whom ever meet up on screen.

    The basic principle is simple: the characters, all young Londoners from a variety of backgrounds, speak to the audience, Talking Heads-style, about issues that affect them: music, alcohol, drugs, sex, and even some politics. Some of the comments are funny, some absolutely hilarious, and a few are even quite profound.

    As in real life, there is a broad cross-section of society represented, and if sometimes the characters seem a little stereotyped, then this is not necessarily a bad thing; it helps the audience identify with - or laugh at - some of their more outrageous suggestions. There is a supermarket shelf stacker, a fetish model, a teacher, and a young lady who is "far too busy to work". The audience finds itself alternately roaring with laughter at some of the unbelievable points of view put forward, or nodding in sympathy. Some of the characters are racist, some are sexist, some are fascist. Strong Language means exactly that: it has not done its job if it does not shock as much as it amuses.

    As the film progresses, we discover that there is order to this apparently random collection of anecdotes. A single central story starts to emerge from the most mysterious of the characters, around which the others continue to discuss their various issues. And in the last three minutes of the film we discover something else about all of the characters, which I won't spoil for you here.

    Writer/producer/director Simon Rumley clearly has a gift for words on a par with, say, Quentin Tarantino; and in a sense, there is a distinct similarity in directorial style as well. But Tarantino is equally happy letting hard action tell the story, while Rumley, possibly because of budget constraints, has had to rely on words alone. Fortunately, it works brilliantly, although it is a lot more effective watching it in a cinema or with a group of friends than on your own.

    Overall, I rate this film highly, and would not hesitate to recommend it. Here is proof, as if it were needed, that it is not always the worst films that fail to find a decent distribution deal.
    helpful•4
    0
    • therealgoatee
    • Mar 13, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 28, 2000 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Rumleyvision
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 16 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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