Storyline
Set against the backdrop of the 2011 UK summer riots, Jamie, a young female offender who possesses a remarkable voice, meets a determined social worker who inspires her to use it.
Directors
Writers
Cast
Ian Hart, Shirley Henderson, Isabella Laughland, Steven Mackintosh, Letitia Wright, McKell David, Matthew Steer, Billy Bragg, Peter Vollebregt, Shaun Parkes, Robin Berry, Dan Cohen, Caroline O'Neill, Jack McMullen, Jamie Taylor, Athena Droutis, Frankie Oatway, Katie Redford, George Somner, Ellie Carney, Dean Warren, Julian Rivett, Diana Payan, Madeleine Bowyer, Kemal Sylvester, Kirsty J. Curtis, Victoria Alcock, Martin Turner, Mark Flitton, Caroline O'Hara, Charlie Caton-Jones
Trailer
Reviews
80
CineVue
Led by a trio of tremendous performances from its female leads, Wright, front and centre as Jamie, is the stand-out.
80
It’s heavy-handed, but with such fine performances from the youngsters, aided by the ever-reliable Shirley Henderson (as a social worker), that it’s hard not to get sucked into this tragic tale.
80
If Urban Hymn starts with that familiar dynamic, it stays surprisingly fresh thanks to three fine performances and a willingness to be uncompromising.
70
Urban Hymn is so carefully and lovingly made by director Michael Caton-Jones and his leads that it’s hard to begrudge the British drama its familiar premise, especially as you squint at the screen through tears.
60
A mixed bag, but one that comes good in its closing stretch, working its way towards a place of quiet power.
