Social realism at its most entertaining and insightful. On Netflix.
Rocks
It’s rare to see a social-realist drama that feels real and engages sympathy such as Rocks, directed by Sarah Gavron and written by Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson. The dialogue amongst 11-year-old East London girls is as fresh and exciting as improv-dialogue could ever be.
The titular character (Bukky Bakray) has been abandoned by her single mom, left with her little brother, Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu), to practically live off the streets. But she has her pals at school and an amusing brother, so she looks as if she can handle the poverty and loneliness. When Emmanuel recites his version of the Lord’s Prayer (Rocks calls it a “remix”), the dread for her loneliness dissipates (“Our Father. He’s up in heaven.”) in the presence of his and the girls’ good cheer.
Of course, a first-rate drama like this, and that of fellow Brit realists like Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, must have conflict, which here hovers around the perpetual absence of mother and the will of the government for Rocks to have supervision. Rocks’ own challenge about stolen money adds some secondary tension to the already complex situation without mother.
The amazing thing about this film is the girls themselves, brimming with optimism and wit in the face of limited resources. When in class they riff on Picasso’s distorted faces with cut-out shots from magazines, all seems well for the future of these creative, energetic young people.
Partly comedy, partly melodramatic, mostly realistic, Rocks is not only entertaining, but it is insightful about young people in a new world order. These heroes will thrive.
On Netflix
Rocks
Director: Sarah Gavon (Suffragette)
Screenplay: Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson (Gangs of London)
Cast: Bukky Bakray (Self-Charm) Kosar Ali (Pru)
Run Time: 1h 33m
Rating: TV MA
John DeSando, a Los Angeles Press Club first-place winner for National Entertainment Journalism, hosts WCBE’s It’s Movie Time and co-hosts Cinema Classics. Contact him at JohnDeSando62@gmail.com
