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Adolescence review: A searing, scaring and unforgettable masterclass in storytelling
What: ‘Adolescence’ – an alarming examination of toxic masculinity through a murder of a teenager. The Netflix’s mini-series created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham is an absolutely brilliant examination of parenthood, pubescent rage, emotional isolation, the dangers of social media and the power of influencers like Andrew Tate that can be extremely dangerous resulting in mental illness.
Adolescence synopsis
On a quiet morning in a northern England town (Yorkshire may be), Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and his partner, Detective Sargent Misha Frank (Faye Marsay) are chatting normally, suddenly they speed toward a home and we see a SWAT team joining them and they burst into the house of the Miller family.
The Millers who have just began their day are shocked and caught off guard. Eddie Miller (Stephen Graham) is ordered to stand by his hands raised above his head, Eddie’s wife, Manda (Christine Tremarco) is asked not to move while Lisa (Amelie Pease) their teenage daughter is asked to lie flat on the ground.
The police officers ask for their thirteen-year-old son Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) who is in his room upstairs sleeping, the police team barges into the room and wake up Jamie by arresting him under suspicion of murder.
It’s just the third month of the year and in ‘Adolescence’ Netflix already has a super strong contender for the best show of the year. ‘Adolescence’ – masterly written and created by Jack Thorne (‘Toxic Town’) and Stephen Graham (he also plays Jamie’s dad Eddie) and brilliantly directed by Philip Barantini (‘Boilng Point’) the four-episode series, each episode is shot in a single take.
Each and every frame/shot is an examination of human psychology blended with the teenage behavior that results in anguish of parenthood which underlines the failures in understanding amongst parents, the generation gap, the system, the demons of internet and social media resulting in isolation and dangers of falling in the trap of influencers like Andrew Tate.
Pulse rising right from the word go and then searing inside our mind, heart and soul, ‘Adolescence’ is narrated in such a way that no one can afford to blink or look the other way from the screen even once while watching. ‘Adolescence’ is a mirror of the modern teenage world, a story that highlights the bitter truth which we should know, it’s disturbing and nobody will want such a thing to happen in their life/with their teenage child.
Jamie Miller is not handcuffed, there is no shouting and much melodrama, the police procedure and the setting engage the audience to the fullest and every episode has a different setting and timeframe which opens scope for character arcs and layers that helps in building the narrative tighter, crisper and wider. In an interesting move, the deceased family is not shown and there is no sobbing around for the departed soul. The decision from the makers to show this maturity is in respect to the theme of the mini-series which centers around the state of teenagers, the failed parenting and the demons of social media. Realization, forgiveness is the prime human element and it is been told in the show beautifully and perfectly.
Performance
A superb show with superb performances
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller is a revelation, a performance that will be remembered for ages. It’s very hard to believe that Owen Cooper is making his acting debut in ‘Adolescent’. What an actor, Owen holds a solid future for sure. The way Owen captures the mood swings of Jamie who is aged between childhood and adulthood, is pure class. Especially in the third episode, Owen as Jamie nails it and displays his varied rage. Pure brilliance.
Stephen Graham as Jamie’s father is perfect. Graham wins your heart and he makes you cry with him. Outstanding.
Erin Doherty as Briony – the psychologist visiting Jamie in jail is flawless.
Ashley Walters as Inspector Luke Bascombe is perfect. Faye Marsay as Detective Sargent Misha Frank is fine.
Christine Tremarco as Manda – Jamie’s mother is fantastic.
Adolescence review – final words
The best TV show till date, ‘Adolescent’ is a masterpiece, though its real, scary, it does give hope and it’s a wakeup call for all parents, children’s especially teenagers, students, teachers, influencers, every caring individual, every human.
Going with a truly deserving 4.5 stars
Rated 16+ Adolescence is streaming on Netflix
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma