'Cubs' Film Review

'The Cubs'

Written & Directed by Tom Harper

From the very first shot within the film, we are instantly introduced into the 'story world' Harper was representing within his work. We're shown a run-down football pitch with graffiti all around the ground. This instantly suggests it's in the style of urban London or any other urban area. This means you are already introduced to the social class of the characters who are going to be involved (middle/lower class - no first class standards within this story.) Which allows you to presume the type of characters and the dialogue (aka accents) will be like, before anyone has talked or has been introduced. We are also shown the time of year by the costumes of the characters (as shown above, most of them are in winter jackets with gloves on.)

Harper then follows through by introducing the main character by presenting the audience with an extreme close up of his face. You're aware that this character is important because firstly, he is the first person whose face we have been shown, also, we're very close to his face, which means we're already invading his personal space and getting involved in his world and his business. 

The story starts with a group of children in a park, playing football. Ben (Main Character) and his friend (Davis) sit on the wall 'waiting for someone'. When that someone arrives, Davis says 'we never get picked', and the protagonist replies 'we will this time.' Which indicates a change within the story. Then, Karl is introduced to the story. The football pitch goes silent and the children line up as he approaches. This instantly suggests power over them (not to mention the two lackeys, or so they would seem, stood behind him.) He stands central, dominating the shot once again suggesting power. The choice of colour in clothing (red/black) could also signify 'evil', 'dark' and 'murder'. Another point I noticed was he was cast taller than the rest of the children, making them look up at him. When one child acts cocky and asks Karl if 'he's cool?', Karl immediately shouts 'Shut your mouth,' sealing the idea of him being the dominant one within this piece. 

When Ben isn't chosen to be part of Karl's gang, he gets angry and goes after him to ask him way. This introduces the barrier for Ben, as Karl tells him 'he's looking out for him', meaning he wants to keep him safe, out of the way of the gang. However, Ben doesn't accept this and says he's ready, and Karl says yes, to both him and Davis tagging along later that night. Ben is than happy... but for how long?

The group then meet late at night under a tunnel. Rushes and music are used to create a tense atmosphere within the scene - a gang together, doing drugs and talking about past events. Ben is shown as uneasy, he wanted to make something of himself, and the gang was the only thing he knew he could do, but looking at all these people seems to be unsure whether being there is really want he wants.

Karl then hands Ben a bat saying 'if you fuck up, you're on your own.', which applies a lot of pressure to the character. Then Karl rallies everyone up, shoots a gun and tells everyone to move out. 

As the gang run, they spot a fox, and chase it down. Ben gets close to catching it, but doesn't hit it (misses it). Karl shouts at him, telling him he's not good enough and others moan around him. As they talk amongst the group and look around for the missing creature, Ben once again looks uneasy until he spots what everyone is looking for - the cub. 

This is where the 'Choice' of the story appears most strongly. Ben has to decide whether he should follow his moral instinct and let the fox get away, or tell the gang and be appreciated by them again. Unsure of his answer however, he choses the later, and the group chase down the fox and beat it.

Once the gang have attacked the fox, Karl hands Ben a gun and tells him to deliver the final blow. Ben takes a minute or so to actually take any action whatsoever. He looks at his friend Davis, who doesn't say anything, however looks slightly shocked at the events occurring, and Ben seems uneasy once again. 

Ben is once again given a choice: do the moral thing, let it live and help it, or do as the peer pressure says and shot it, and once again, chooses the later. 

After he's shot the fox and the gang congratulate him, he instantly knows it was the wrong choice, a horrible thing to do. He's in the gang, he's doing what they do, however he isn't happy. Emotion is very strong in the last section of the film, because you can tell he understands that what he has done is wrong in many ways and he isn't happy where he is, however, he's done it now, he's part of the gang and this is his life now.

I personally didn't like the subject of the film in regards to the fox (for personal reasons), however I believe the story followed the rules of drama perfectly, it made me emotional, and it made me react to his actions. We know it's wrong and so does he. The set up was clear and introduced straightaway, as was Ben the main character. There were many choices and unfortunately he chose the wrong ones, however I think it was a nice twist - not a 'happy ever after'. It's more realistic towards people of today, in regards to finding their place in the world, making wrong decisions and taking wrong actions and being stuck with the consequences they leave behind.