Elle Smith I wasn't that fond of this film if I'm going to be truthfull. The acting was good for a low budget film and the storyline was quite good but most of it was just confusing. I have met some Scottish people in my life and i understood them but the accent in this was unbelievably strong, i might as well have put it on mute. I enjoyed the realism of the film and i could actually believe it happened. I got confused at the end when Liam was on the beach and on the phone to Chantelle, i couldn't understand the phone call. I also though Liams 16th birthday party was a housewarming party, the mis-en-scen clearly didn't impress me that much. Give it a watch if you like gritty British films with crude language

dominic-cilli I went into this film with no preconceptions about its nature. I was expecting a sort of bittersweet coming-of-age tale judging by the title alone. What i got was a gritty uncompromising tale of growing up in a drug infested section of Scotland. A very intelligent 15yr old youth is determined to reassemble his family upon the emanate return of his incarcerated Mother. He manages, with a certain tragic costs, to assimilate himself into the local crime gang and upon his mother's release from prison he is greeted with somewhat shocking repercussion's that lead to tragic consequences. The film rings true in every sense. We are treated to insights into lower-class Scottish society that maintain an authenticity that is hard to fake. All the performances are deftly handled and the script keeps you hanging on until the end. Overall, a very fine film.

jpk1-2 Loach does it again - he could make a film of himself boiling an egg and it would still be the best thing ever. There is one scene in which the protagonist has to prove himself by stabbing someone - I shan't spoil it for you but the denouement provoked several loud gasps from the (normally very restrained art-house cinema) audience. I had to half carry my wife out of this one at the end, she was so distraught, but don't let this put you off - this is adrenaline film making, taking you to an edge and dropping you off it. The man's a genius - but if you're not up to the misery of this film then watch Bread and Roses instead - it's awesome too, but happier, and inspires you big time! Well done loach

annthechef i really enjoyed this film heartwarming witty down to earth movie i found it very funny great acting by all the actors.Especially the young martin Compton superb acting diffenetly a name to look out for in the future.good title for the film as it portrays the struggle of Liam just before his sixteenth birthday trying to make life better for his mother and him but the harder Liam tries to make things better he seems to get deeper in to trouble.the film reminds me of Saturday night Sunday morning with Avery young Albert finney because of its working background and Albert finney also tries to make life easier but wines up in trouble with his attitude to his family.once again i loved this film plus its a story to get to grips with emothonely.