Adulthood

Aroview: Unimaginatively titled, so-so sequel to KIDULTHOOD taking place six years on from the first film with our main protagonist Sam Peel released from jail and facing up to the realities of London street life in the grown-up world.

The themes and performances are more sombre and reflective this time around, resulting in less blustering bite than the original boasts, but with perhaps a greater deal of sensitivity towards the plight of its downtrodden, disenfranchised yoof, this takes on a certain existential resonance that comes off as gloomily realistic when not dabbling in shaky stereotypes and self-consciously street-level lingo. What remains the same is the fluctuating quality of young acting talent on display, with writer-dir. Clarke stamping his mark amongst another cast of amateurs.