TEXT: Starred Up (movie) – directed by David Mackenzie, written by Jonathan Asser

 

Question 1: How can texts offer multiple perspectives of a single issue, topic or theme?

 

The film Starred Up provides the audience with a variety of perspectives on the issue of the British prison systems. The writer himself was a counsellor in a prison so in the film it can be assumed that the counsellor’s perspective is quite accurate to real life. The film focuses on the main character and his struggle in prison mainly due to his father being there too and all of the conflict surrounding their relationship. It is interesting to see how the father and son’s intentions are perceived differently by different people even though they are surrounding the same issue. The film also highlights the corruption and discrimination in prisons that aren’t always fully recognized.

 

Question 2: How does language represent social distinction and identities? 

 

Starred Up represents the groups of men more commonly associated with prisons by using a lot of slang in the dialogue and including accents from more ‘common’ areas of the UK. The slang can often differentiate between different social groups/races within the prison which allows the audience to categorize them more. The language main character Jack O’Connell uses is less mature than some of the other characters which is used to highlight how he is the youngest prison inmate (19). This also allows the audience to have more sympathy for the character Eric Love (Jack O’Connell) as although he has committed some serious crimes, the language he often uses shows how immature and vulnerable he really is.

 

Question 3: To what extent do texts offer insight into another culture? 

 

I believe that the film Starred Up was so successful and powerful because it accurately highlighted some of the key issues with prison systems around the world (but with a focus on Britain), but at the same time didn’t just revolve around the prison storyline. A big storyline was Eric Love (Jack O’Connell) and his father’s relationship and how they clashed when put in this confined space together. Like mentioned previously, Jonathan Asser had experienced working in a prison before writing this film so I feel that this provides a more accurate insight into what it would have been like since he had first-hand experience. This film allows the public to gain a better understanding of what prison culture is like and what about them doesn’t work. A key element that main character Eric Love (Jack O’Connell) touched on in the film was about why he shouldn’t go to the counselling group and why the governers would want him. He claimed that if he were to rehabilitate and not reoffend, then they would use the same method for the next person and eventually the governers wouldn’t be making money anymore, so what was in it for them. This I felt was a key moment in the film because it opened my eyes to another element of prison culture in which it’s hard to truly know the intentions of the people with the power. 

 

https://www.filmcomment.com/article/review-starred-up-david-mackenzie/ 

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/starred-up-2014

https://film.avclub.com/starred-up-is-a-brutal-but-profoundly-humane-look-at-1798181211