Develiker
terrible... so disappointed.
Nonureva
Really Surprised!
Gutsycurene
Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
Sanjeev Waters
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Headgirl74
Letitia Wright is going to be a big star. It's easy to see why her lead acting debut in Urban Hymn got her the role in Black Panther. She is so good in this film as are the other two female leads, Shirley Henderson and Isabella Laughland. Powerful, emotional viewing. 8 out of 10 for me.
kaylifsutl
Urban Hymn is a stunning and complex drama that keeps you on your toes throughout. I was surprised by this film's ability to grab my attention and sustain it, I truly couldn't look away. The director, Michael Caton-Jones, takes you on an immersive journey through the lives of a case worker and a troubled teen and their unexpected common ground in music. Jamie has been through many hardships in her 17 years and has barely any hope for her future. Kate, her case worker, teaches her to realize her potential and inspire her to follow her passions. This is a story of overcoming your past, accepting a helping hand and understanding that you are more than your circumstances. This film is truly a tear-jerking coming of age story that reminds us that everyday can be a fresh start. I recommend this film to anyone who has a passion for music, its affect in people's lives and an appreciation for film that isn't afraid to be unapologetically human.
David Trotter
Urban Hymn is an emotional, uplifting coming of age story about a young orphan named Jamie Harrison, portrayed by Letitia Wright, who has a passion for music. The director Michael Caton-Jones uses the gritty, realistic setting of life in impoverished London to drag the viewer into the realities of violence, drugs, and crime that the characters face. The expert use of this setting immerses the viewer and makes them seriously reflect on the methods the characters use to cope with the obstacles they face. Kate, a professor turned social worker, turns to her job to deal with the murder of her teenage son at the hands of troubled youths, just like the ones she works with. Jamie struggles to choose between her love for singing and the tempting life of crime and fun lead by her closest friend, Leanne. All the while, Leanne herself deals with the repercussions of her lifestyle and the distance that is growing between her and Jamie. Even if you haven't personally dealt with the problems that these characters face, their situations are authentic and relatable. The story deals with a myriad of themes from parenthood and friendship to abandonment and redemption, and still manages to balance them all into a cohesive narrative. No character is written without their faults, resulting in a very human story. For those of you like me who enjoy true-to-life characters and settings coupled with great stories, you will love Urban Hymn.
Tom Dooley
Jamie is alone in the World except for her best mate Leanne (who is a sort of South London hard nut) and they have gotten on the wrong side of the tracks. This is against the backdrop of the riots in London of 2011 which they took advantage of.Anyway they are in a Council run care home when a new social worker turns up who is determined to make a difference and then sees music as a possible way to reach out to Jamie to save/help her.Now a lot of these themes have been used before – falling in with the wrong crowd, nurture versus nature and the idea that all the 'kids' need to find their way out of the gutter is one piece of inspiration; whether it be baseball, rap music or macramé. But this seems to do it with a fresh twist and the music is all great too.Do not expect anything too 'gritty' either this is all a bit sanitised but it still has enough of an 'edge' to make it pack a punch albeit not a 'sucker' one.