Watch London Town

London Town (2016) is a musical drama film directed by Derrick Borte, with a screenplay by Matt Brown. The movie follows the story of a teenager from South London named Shay (Daniel Huttlestone) who is a big fan of The Clash, a popular punk rock band in the late 1970s. One day Shay's life changes forever when he meets the charismatic frontman of The Clash, Joe Strummer (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The story takes place against the backdrop of the political and social upheavals of the late 1970s in London.

The film begins in 1979 with Shay living with his mother (Natascha McElhone) and his younger sister (Meredith Ostrom) in a council flat in a working-class neighborhood of London. Shay's father (Dougray Scott) is a long-distance truck driver who is hardly ever home. Shay dreams of a better life and a better future for himself and his family. He is obsessed with The Clash and their music, which he listens to on a cassette player all the time. Shay's passion for music and his desire to escape his dreary life is the driving force of the movie.

One day, Shay's world changes when he meets Joe Strummer, who is on the run from the police. Shay helps him hide from the authorities, and in return, Strummer introduces him to the world of punk rock music. Strummer becomes a father figure and a mentor to Shay, teaching him about music, politics, and life. Shay is in awe of Strummer's charisma and his passion for music, and he quickly becomes a loyal follower of the band.

Through his friendship with Strummer, Shay meets other members of The Clash, including Mick Jones (Joshua McGuire) and Paul Simonon (Samuel Bottomley), and he witnesses the band's rise to fame. He also learns about the political and social issues of the time, such as the rise of Thatcherism, unemployment, and racism. The Clash's music reflects these issues, and Shay becomes a political activist, joining the ranks of other young Londoners who want to change the world.

The film's soundtrack features many classic songs by The Clash, as well as other punk rock bands of the era, such as The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, and The Buzzcocks. The music is an essential part of the film, and it captures the energy and spirit of the punk rock movement of the late 1970s.

London Town is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of family, friendship, and rebellion. It is a nostalgic tribute to the punk rock era, and it captures the spirit of a generation that was looking for a way to express themselves and change the world. The film's cinematography accurately portrays the gritty, urban landscape of London in the late 1970s, and the costume design is spot on, with the actors sporting authentic punk rock outfits and hairstyles.

The performances by the cast are excellent, with Jonathan Rhys Meyers giving a standout performance as Joe Strummer. He perfectly captures the essence of the punk rock icon, with his trademark snarl and his charismatic stage presence. Daniel Huttlestone is also impressive as Shay, the young boy who finds his voice through music. His portrayal of a teenager struggling to find his place in the world is genuine and heartfelt.

In conclusion, London Town is a must-watch movie for any fan of punk rock music or anyone who wants to experience the energy and spirit of the late 1970s in London. The film captures the passion and rebellion of a generation and faithfully portrays the iconic music of The Clash. It is a moving and entertaining tribute to the power of music to inspire and change lives.

London Town is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 46.