Strangeways Here We Come (film)
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Strangeways Here We Come
| image = Strangeways Here We Come poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| director = Chris Green
| producer =
| writer = Chris Green
| starring = Chanel Cresswell
Lauren Socha
Elaine Cassidy
James Cooney
Oliver Coopersmith
Perry Fitzpatrick
James Foster
Saffron Hocking
Michelle Keegan
Stephen Lord
Mark Sheals
Ania Sowinski
Nina Wadia
Ste Johnston
| music =
| cinematography =
| editing =
| studio =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|2018|10|05|UK|df=y}}
| runtime = 86 minutes
| country = England
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $3,473
}}
Strangeways Here We Come is an English comedy-drama film, written and directed by Chris Green, in which a group of residents in a council estate decide to defeat a cruel loan shark who has been making their lives miserable. It was filmed in Salford. The name is taken from the Smiths' album of the same name.
Cast
{{castlist|
- Chanel Cresswell as Becki
- Lauren Socha as Shelley
- Elaine Cassidy as Steph
- James Cooney as Ollie
- Oliver Coopersmith as Aaron
- Perry Fitzpatrick as Marvin
- James Foster as Brian
- Saffron Hocking as Sian
- Michelle Keegan as Demi
- Stephen Lord as Nolan
- Mark Sheals as Max
- Ania Sowinski as Jean
- Nina Wadia as Lucy
- Ste Johnston as Gary
}}
Background
The film's writer and director, Chris Green, said: "This was made by someone who lived there. Growing up on Spike Island we saw a lot of violence. I can honestly say that 90 per cent of what you see in that film is true - it's stuff I've seen, stuff I've experienced or know about. Apart from the murder, obviously."
Production
Reception
Upon its release in 2018, Strangeways Here We Come garnered overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. The Times rated the film zero stars,{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/education/article/film-review-strangeways-here-we-come-dcphlvqqd|title=Film review: Strangeways Here We Come|website=The Times|last=Maher|first=Kevin|date=5 October 2018|access-date=9 November 2022}} and Mike McCahill, reviewing for The Guardian, rated the film 1/5 stars, commenting that critics would be "torn between highlighting those actors who make a few scenes tolerable or granting them the anonymity they surely longed for as they fled the cast-and-crew screening with heads under blankets."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/04/strangeways-here-we-come-review-chris-green|title=Strangeways Here We Come review – how low can a film go?|website=The Guardian|last=McCahill|first=Mike|date=4 October 2018|access-date=9 November 2022}} Benjamin Poole, for themoviewaffler.com, wrote "Vile stereotypes of people at the tough end of the social scale, disdainful representations seemingly designed to comfort and entertain those fortunate enough to never have to go near social housing."{{cite web|url=http://www.themoviewaffler.com/2018/09/strangeways-here-we-come-review.html|title=New Release Review - STRANGEWAYS HERE WE COME|website=themoviewaffler.com|last=Poole|first=Benjamin|access-date=9 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/michelle-keegan-strangeways-film-reviews-15246053|title=Michelle Keegan's first movie Strangeways Here We Come panned as an 'awful Salford-set Shameless rip-off'... and worse|website=Manchester Evening News|last=Keeling|first=Neal|date=6 October 2018|access-date=9 November 2022}}
In 2022, the film saw increased popularity on Netflix, appearing on the streaming site's "Most Watched" list. Green told Manchester Evening News: "I'm glad for everyone involved, and I'm proud to have come from Salford and being able to turn my experiences into entertainment. I'm not a multi-millionaire but I am doing the job that I love, writing for film and TV and telling the stories that inspire me."{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/salford-lad-who-directed-film-25464514|title=Salford lad who directed film slammed for 'vile stereotypes' defends movie as it appears in Netflix's most-watched list|website=Manchester Evening News|last=Harriss|first=Kayla|date=9 November 2022|access-date=9 November 2022}}
Commercial reception
Strangeways Here We Come grossed $3,473 worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4299774/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|title=Strangeways Here We Come Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|date=2018|access-date=9 November 2022}}
External links
- [http://www.strangewaysherewecome.com Official website]
- {{IMDb title|4299774}}