Urban Hymn (2015)

Undescribable Perfection

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Urban Hymn boasts a story line booming with talented vocals, but a screenplay with the delicacy of a harp. Indeed, there are clearly some talented writers behind the scenes, drumming a surprisingly human beat to which the actors move. The end result is a polished picture, with themes and moments that linger with the viewer weeks after the screen goes black. We follow Jamie Harrison in this plot, a troubled teen who has lost her way to the temptations of the inner city. By her side is a questionable friend, Leanne Dixon, who stands as a reasonably dedicated presence before her unpredictable behavior proves detrimental. Things start to look up for Jamie when Kate Linton (a tough as nails, yet understanding social worker) enters the picture, trying to steer her path in a more productive direction through music. Rich in both heart and heartbreak, Urban Hymn is the rare film that manages to build and break us in ways that don't feel canned or cliché. It is truly demonstrative of talented writing at play, coupled with a visual excellence matched only by big- budget Oscar-bait films. I recommend it highly, as it beyond impressed this jaded moviegoer's heart. Keep your ears out for this one; you won't be disappointed with what you hear.

What a breathtaking film! Urban Hymn is a powerful and heart-wrenching story of an inner-city teenager named Jamie Harrison, broken from her harrowing journey thus far. Jamie discovers her purpose in life through the grace and generosity of social worker Kate Linton, as she leads Jamie toward the power of music. Jamie then reveals to have a stunning voice that astonishes all who have only known her for pillaging and being an overall miscreant. Her troubled past life seems to get in the way of her newfound hope for a better life for herself, namely her degenerate best friend Leanne whose selfish attempts to keep Jamie from following her dream results in a shocking twist at the end of the film. From a cinematographic standpoint, the aesthetic of the multiple shots of Kate running through the park in London on a cloudy day matches the tone of film so perfectly. I think the thing that really makes this film stand out is its actors' incredible performances. They are so transparent and passionate; the story itself is such a classic turnaround coming of age story, but it is so beautifully and organically illustrated through these unique characters. This thrilling and complex film is definitely a must-see!

Attention soul music fans, people who love inspiring movies, and everyone else: Urban Hymn is the movie for you. Urban Hymn is about Kate, a case worker assigned to Jamie. Kate spends her waking moments trying to better Jamie's life and finally finds a connection through her choir. Through the beauty and expression of music, Jamie not only turns her life around, but establishes the first positive role model relationship in her life with Kate. The contradiction of emotions I felt while watching Urban Hymn was unlike any other movie going experience I've had. I felt so deeply for each character that is was as if they were all truly important people in my life. Isabella Laughland's disturbingly convincing performance of Leanne Dixon was truly a visceral experience in which I felt like she was affecting my life, as well as Jamie's. Urban Hymn takes you to another place while you're watching. I recommend this movie because it is so original in that it just makes you feel different and diverse emotions.

With quiet grace, Urban Hymn steps forth onto the stage, a single spotlight pierces the darkness, a pinprick of sound in a void, we wait. This entire film is waiting, with bated breath and hardened limbs, we wait. We wait for our wispy protagonist (Shirley Henderson) to connect with her troubled teen charge (Letitia Wright). We wait for this troubled teen to step out from her shadows and brave the light, we wait. This film gains traction as it moves, it relishes in the evolution of its characters, and celebrates their triumphs. Director Michael Caton Jones celebrates the individual in this film, which is exactly what saves it from the all too familiar pitfalls of its genre. Following the well worn path of past coming of age stories, Jones breathes new life to this emotional journey with his brilliant cast. Shirley Henderson becomes social worker Kate Linton, a grieving mother struggling to let go of her murdered son. Henderson plays this part beautifully, equal parts confident and hesitant, never overplaying either, she finds a delicate balance within her character. New to the screen Letitia Wright, too talented to believe this is her first feature lead role, lends her trembling, soprano voice to the film. Wright manages to be both brash and vulnerable within the same breath, a skill that lends itself well to his film. Outside of the dangerous dichotomy between Kate and Jamie Harrison, London looms, and it has never looked so beautiful. Cinematographer Dennis Crossan creates a world from a pallet of muted tones, careful faded pastels juxtaposed with warm gashes of golden light. Crossan keeps the camera tight on our characters, and the claustrophobic nature of the film fails to lift except in a few moments of unbridled freedom. It is for these moments that we wait, we wait for our happy ending, for our characters to find themselves. Sometimes we wait for nothing, but in this movie the wait is worth it.