Cherry Tree lane.

This was a curious little film.  I only watched it because the director had previously done London To Brighton.   A small budget but very good UK film from a few years ago.


Cherry Tree Lane is in the mould of the French film 'Them' and the US film 'The Strangers'.  


However, this entry into the Urban Horror genre is so gritty that it makes the above two films look like Bambi.  In fact it was so gritty that at one point I though that I could not watch it anymore.


The film is set in South London.  Where a middle class (white) couple are attacked and held prisoner in their own home by a trio of young lads (two are black).  Their son has offended them in some way and they are now out for revenge.  Whilst all are waiting for said son to come home all hell breaks lose. 


It was difficult to have any sympathy with any of the characters.  The youths were brutal, stupid and played to all the stereotypes set out for them in society.   The parents just seemed a bit clueless, and as they didn't seem to like each other I found it hard to like them either.


The film follows a predictable route until the final violent ten minutes.  No one came out of this a 'winner'.  There were losses all round.  Everyone get brutalised in some way.


Its one of those films were you are almost shouting at the screen for the father (who is tied and beaten up) to get up and beat the crap out of the youths.  My partner and I even tried to see if it would be possible to get out of having your hands tied behind your back afterwards.  Although, to be fair I did stop short at beating him up first.


I found this an uncomfortable film to watch.  I'm sure this was the directors intention.  So job well done.


I wouldn't watch this film again.  I would watch future films by the same director though.  He has a definite talent and is making films outside of the mainstream.  Which obviously won't go down well with David Cameron.




Marks out of 10.
Overall - 7.
Acting - 7.
Cinematography / score etc - not really relevant.