The four-year period from 1978 to 1982 was probably the most fertile period in British music history. A complete soundclash of music genres peaked and ruled the airwaves, including punk, new wave, disco, Two-Tone, new romantic, heavy metal, and of course the late 70’s Mod revival. A bleak UK political and economic landscape plus such a great choice of music meant that most British youths were heavily into music in quite a tribal fashion.
Written and directed by Chris Green, ‘Pebble and the Boy’ is a poetic British comedy-drama focusing on the Mod movement from that time. Set in the present day, we follow John Parker(!), a 19-year-old from Manchester, who embarks on a road trip to Brighton, the spiritual home of the Mods, on an old Lambretta scooter recently left to him by his father, a dedicated late 70’s Mod. John wears his dad’s Mod clothes and his plan is to scatter his father’s ashes into the sea there.
John is played by Patrick MacNamee who gives a convincing performance as the shy, confused, grief-stricken teenager. We follow him as he meets several people along the way, as well as in Brighton itself, who shed more light on his father’s character and life, a man John soon realizes he didn’t know as well as he thought.
Pebble and the Boy have several ingredients which will sit well with fans of classic British cinema. There is an excellent soundtrack including gems by Secret Affair and The Chords. Sharp eyed viewers will spot a cameo from Mani of The Stone Roses and the enduring Patsy Kensit (an associate producer) is also one of the cast; as is veteran actor Jesse Birdsall. Admirers of Paul Weller (Green must be a huge fan) will be rewarded with music by The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller, a subplot involving a Paul Weller gig and an unexplained shot of Paul Weller himself – all in all maybe a bit too much Paul Weller. The attention to detail on the cast’s wardrobe and the Lambrettas is admirable though and the film overall has a sweet, gentle northern sensibility.
The film struggles a bit with poor editing – the plot and dialogue are a bit thin to fill 100 minutes. The present-day setting of the film, often shot in rather uninspiring middle-class houses, hotels and venues doesn’t sit well with the raw music of the 70s/80s. It would have worked better in a more working-class environment or as a period piece set in 1981, with John’s father and friends being some of the original 1960’s mods. Give it a go however and make up your own mind.
(PS The Pebble And The Boy will be available on digital in the US and Canada November 16. )
Review: Ris Fatah Queerguru Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
