A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS

Year: 1999
USA: USA Films
UK: Alliance-Atlantis Releasing (now Momentum Films)
Cast: Andrew Shim, Ben Marshall, Paddy Considine, Frank Harper, Julia Ford, James Higgins, Vicky McClure, Ladene Hall, Bob Hoskins, Martin Arrowsmith, Dave Blunt, Darren O Campbell, Shaun Fields, Nicholas Harvey, Shane Meadows
Director: Shane Meadows
Country: UK
UK: 90 mins
USA Rated: R for pervasive language, and for some elements of violence and sexuality
UK Certificate: 15 for strong language and violence
USA Release Date: 27 October 2000 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 4 February 2000

Synopsis

A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS is the second feature film from UK filmmaker Shane Meadows. The humorous, harsh, and movingly human coming-of-age tale of two 12-year-old boys told by screenwriters Meadows and Paul Fraser comes from their own shared childhood experience.

Adolescent screen newcomers Andrew Shim and Ben Marshall star as Romeo Brass and Gavin "Knocks" Woolley, an unlikely pair of best friends: Romeo is a husky tough, while Knocks is a inquisitive kid with a bad back. Next-door neighbours in a Midlands housing estate, neither boy has an ideal home life: Romeo's father (Frank Harper) is angry and estranged, while Knocks can't communicate with his remote, couch-potato dad (James Higgins). The boys' shared sense of humour and high spirits bond and strengthen them.

Then, an eccentric and dangerous stranger, Morell (Paddy Considine), comes between them. After saving the boys from a fight, he courts Romeo's alluring sister Ladine (Vicky McClure). Morell spends more and more time with Romeo, and Knocks finds himself pushed away. When Knocks has to be hospitalized, Romeo is not there for his friend. Recuperating at home, Knocks is tutored by Mr. Laws (Bob Hoskins). Knocks' spunk revives, but Romeo is meanwhile headed for trouble with Morell. It will take a reaffirmation of the boys' friendship, and a commitment to family, to make things right.