Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

JinRoz For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Leofwine_draca TREACLE JR. is an odd little independent film, filmed on the cheap in London and with an on-the-street vibe. It's a character study of two men, the principle of whom remains a mystery from beginning to end: he's a family man who one day abandons his family, flees to London, and ends up sleeping rough on the streets. He's clearly having some kind of mid life crisis, but that's about all we ever find out.The main emphasis of the film is on Aidan Gillen, who has gone on to receive fame and recognition for his role as Littlefinger in GAME OF THRONES. Gillen plays a character called Aidan (yeah, I know) who is about as far from Littlefinger as you can get: he's a man with the mind of a child, delightfully uninhibited, and taking a natural joy in the world and in his surroundings. Gillen's character is loud, brash, and invariably annoying, but nonetheless it's an acting tour-de-force and he never fails to convince in his part.The rest of the film is a mixed bag. It's plodding in places although the running time is very short. Some of it feels repetitive too. I found the main character a little annoying in the way he acts sometimes, although it's fair to say that Gillen makes the movie. There's some high drama when a third character, played by Riann Steele, gets involved in the story, which is all very good. In the end, TREACLE JR. is a slight piece of filmmaking, one which is well shot and made by people with talent, but it never lifted me the way something comparable like ADAM & PAUL lifted me.

Ian Hunter Okay, I watched this late the other night not expecting much but sometimes these low budget films deliver and I was so glad I watched it.Firstly Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones) absolutely steals this film, his delivery of his character is acting gold! His character (again called Aiden) is one of life's lovable downtrodden people who refuse to give in and feel sorry for themselves, no matter what. Aiden sees the good in everyone and continually smiles at the daily difficulties that's thrown at him and you'll immediately warm to him, this is the immense power of his incredible acting abilities. The film shows Tom who has left his life behind cross paths with Aiden and how they sort of 'mend' each other.If you love a film that doesn't conform to the usual stories or just want a masterclass in character acting then this film is a total joy.Loved loved loved this little treasure.

Framescourer Treacle Jr. is a film about a single personality. The inexhaustible gregariousness of Aidan Gillen, who plays his namesake, is enough to carry the role and so the movie. His lovable, ham-fisted optimism eventually overcomes our resistance to his rather claustrophobic, manic volubility. Perhaps Aidan's like a socially marginalised version of Happy-Go-Lucky's Poppy.The first Mike Leigh film one brings to mind for comparison though is Naked. Here is another flight from the North, yet more eventful search for refuge on the streets of London. Only Tom is neither forced to flee, nor does he answer the itchy question, why?. This is because Tom isn't important. He's there to enable Aidan, to throw him into relief and catalyse his fluctuating fortunes. It's upon this drama's surface that Aidan's effervescent consciousness fizzes. It's also this narrow focus that leaves the film rather dry.Writer-director Jamie Thraves tells the story decently enough and works hand-in-glove with Gillen's portrait of Aidan. Yet Rhian Steele's lively Linda aside, the rest of the production is pretty average, from acting and shooting to editing. Admittedly, the film is an exemplar of pragmatism and economy, given that it was made for only £30,000. But too much was sacrificed or allowed to slide. There's no connection between Aidan's social awkwardness and the mute, middle-class breakdown that brings Tom and Aidan together; no exploration of that chink in Linda's manipulative street-facade. To make a very unfair comparison, this is a paddling pool of characterisation besides the reservoir of Michael Winterbottom's South London magnum opus Wonderland. A nice story but nothing more. 4/10

moricious1 I sought Treacle Jr out at the London Film Festival, on the strength of The Low Down.What stands out is the intensity of the two lead performances. Gillen shows some very impressive range. Going 180 % from from playing the Mayor of Baltimore to a desperate and guileless character like this. While Tom Fisher plays off him very effectively as a credible and fairly sympathetic man, who is clearly out of his depth and dealing with major emotional problems of his own.The early scenes, where Tom tries to gently deflect Aiden's advances, without being unkind, came off as very well judged and authentic. Tom's growing connection to Aiden, which develops into instincts of protectiveness, was very believably handled and well paced.The film's low-key visual approach and use of gentle observational humour help carry it along smoothly. In summary, Treacle Jr is a very engaging watch if you like performance driven films.