Watch England Is Mine

England Is Mine is a British biographical drama film directed by Mark Gill and released in 2017. Set in 1970s Manchester, the film tells the story of Steven Patrick Morrissey, who would later become the lead singer of the iconic band The Smiths. The movie opens with Morrissey (played by Jack Lowden) as a shy and introverted teenager, living at home with his parents and working as a clerk at the local tax office. Despite his mundane life, Morrissey has a passion for writing and music and dreams of becoming a rock star. This dream is the central focus of England Is Mine, following Morrissey as he navigates the complexities of growing up and striving for his goals.

Throughout the film, Morrissey's struggles with depression, anxiety, and social anxiety are highlighted, as well as his coming-of-age journey. Despite his musical and lyrical talents, Morrissey's path to success is far from easy, as he faces countless disappointments, rejections, and setbacks.

One of the film's most intriguing elements is its exploration of Morrissey's relationships. At the beginning of the story, Morrissey has no friends and is largely estranged from his family. However, he eventually meets Linder Sterling (played by Jessica Brown Findlay), an enigmatic artist and musician who encourages Morrissey's creativity and helps to shape his ideas and style. The two develop a close bond, but their relationship is complicated by Morrissey's attraction to a married woman, Fiona (played by Jodie Comer).

The film's direction is visually evocative, capturing the gritty yet vibrant atmosphere of 1970s Manchester without straying into excessive sentimentalism. The script is well-written, with an honesty and emotional rawness that makes Morrissey's story feel authentic and relatable. There are also a number of entertaining scenes that include Morrissey watching live performances of punk bands and trying out different hairstyles.

Overall, England Is Mine is a compelling and insightful biopic, capturing the life and struggles of one of the most iconic musicians of the 20th century. It is a film that both fans of Morrissey and music lovers will appreciate, but also one that anyone can enjoy as a depiction of the challenges and triumphs of following one's dreams.

England Is Mine is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 45.