STORYLINE: A young addict living on the streets of London is given a shot at redemption, but his road to recovery soon curdles into a strange odyssey from which he may never escape. (IMDb)

     Addiction in film is a hard topic to watch.  Many biopics, such as Rocketman (2019) have covered the subject. Of course, the topic is not limited to non fiction film, Traffic from 2001 for instance coveted addiction within its runtime.   There are other addictions beyond substances that film has covered.  Shame (2011) was about sex addiction, while 2019’s Uncut Gems featured gambling addiction as part of its story. Urchin, a new independent film, is about a substance addict, as he tries to mend his life.

    Like the films listed, and many others about addition, Urchin is difficult to watch.  The film does not, nor should it, shy away from the struggles that the central character goes through, to reclaim, and keep his new found life.  Urchin does not show the outside influence of other people, but the circumstances and choices made because of those circumstances.

   As the film progresses, the viewer is shown the struggles of the secondary characters.  Their struggles, in part are with their interactions with the central character, but primarily their own. This is proving we are all flawed individuals, with our own issues. (Yes I am NO exception to that).

   While mainstream, blockbusters are entertaining, and can deliver a message to a larger audience, I often find that it is the smaller, independent films that deliver their messages better. Such is the case with Urchin.

    Urchin is a small film that delivered a strong message, even though it was difficult to watch.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!