"pointless self indulgent sentimentality"

This 75 minute film would've easily annoyed me. Eastern European - check. New Londoner - check. Hater of pointless self indulgent sentimentality - check check check! But I really loved it. What would've been a poor interpretation of some art house wannabe turned out to be a fascinating exploration of the sparks and evils of London town. Shane Meadows (of This is England) really knows what he's doing.

Everyone cones to the city in search of something; fortune, love, acceptance. And most of us are exiles of a less forgiving place. But with the bright lights and promises of a better life comes the worst feeling of all; loneliness. And suddenly you'll find your attitude changing, your perception shifting, in order to survive. How else does a northern runaway, a Polish teenager, a french beauty and a cockney eccentric strike up such a wonderful, genuine friendship?

Somers Town is primarily centred around two characters; Tomo (Thomas Turgoose), a young Nottingham boy fleeing a grim existence only to be mugged on his first night in the capital, and Marek (Piotr Jagiello), whose father (Ireneusz Czop) teaches him English from tabloid papers. The boys' paths cross over a fry up and a shared admiration for the greasy spoon waitress Maris (Elisa Lasowski) and so their adventures begin.

Writer Paul Fraser's comment on modern alienation rings true because it doesn't try too hard. He assumes the viewer will relate - and if they don't, so what. He's achieved a perfect balance of reality and fantasy, knowing when to leave the black and white tape and emerge in full colour. Nothing is particularly shocking or extreme, just life as it may really be with all it's scars and bruises yet masterfully devoid of self pity. Good things come to those who...don't give up.