"Georgie" (Lola Campbell) ingeniously manages to hoodwink social services following the death of her mother, and so lives on her own and makes a living running an unique cycle recycling programme with her friend "Ali" (Ali Uzun) that keeps them in ready cash. One afternoon, a guy leaps the back fence and introduces himself as her absentee father "Jason" (Harris Dickinson). She wants nothing to do with him, but he's no quitter and over the next hour or so we see the pair gradually realise what they have been missing in the years they spent apart. There isn't really much jeopardy here but what there is, is chemistry, The young Campbell is hugely charismatic and her mischievous but decent characterisation of a latter day urchin is really quite engaging. It's also one of Dickinson's more characterful efforts too. He doesn't rely on his looks and his musculature - he is also delivering us an enjoyable performance to watch as their relationship evolves - and not always smoothly. The writing offers us a dialogue that comes across as genuine, funny and for a low-ish budget effort this really is well worth a watch. I saw it at the cinema, but I'm not sure you need that - television will do fine.
46 Reviews
The British Version of The Florida Project
chenp-547084 February 2023
Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
"Scrapper" is a film about Georgie, a dreamy 12-year-old girl, lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. Suddenly, her estranged father turns up and forces her to confront reality. Being director Charlotte Regan first feature, the film is strong.
Throughout, the presentation, camerawork, colors, soundtrack and setting is pretty colorful and professional. The main story is pretty simple and certain elements remained me a lot of The Florida Project. While this film does offer some good insights on the poor areas of the UK, the themes isn't as strong as I think it is.
The performances from the cast are pretty good and the characters were interesting to observe from start to end. The dialogue moments had some funny and clever words, although some felt really fake and not believable. "Scrapper" is a type of film that fees familiar and basic but the overall experience was pretty interesting as there is good humor and chemistry between.
Rating: B.
"Scrapper" is a film about Georgie, a dreamy 12-year-old girl, lives happily alone in her London flat, filling it with magic. Suddenly, her estranged father turns up and forces her to confront reality. Being director Charlotte Regan first feature, the film is strong.
Throughout, the presentation, camerawork, colors, soundtrack and setting is pretty colorful and professional. The main story is pretty simple and certain elements remained me a lot of The Florida Project. While this film does offer some good insights on the poor areas of the UK, the themes isn't as strong as I think it is.
The performances from the cast are pretty good and the characters were interesting to observe from start to end. The dialogue moments had some funny and clever words, although some felt really fake and not believable. "Scrapper" is a type of film that fees familiar and basic but the overall experience was pretty interesting as there is good humor and chemistry between.
Rating: B.
Any Old Iron...
Xstal29 January 2024
It's fair to say that life has taken quite a turn, since your mother passed away you've had to learn, how to fend, forage, sustain - hold the social and constrain, and then your dad walks in, and makes surprise return. At first it's somewhat awkward and annoying, if there's one thing that you're not then it is cloying, you do your best to shake him off, but he's persistent like a cough, but you try to understand, how he's deploying.
Two top drawer performance from Lola Campbell and Harris Dickinson make this a film worth exploring in the tradition of great British contemporary independent filmmaking.
Two top drawer performance from Lola Campbell and Harris Dickinson make this a film worth exploring in the tradition of great British contemporary independent filmmaking.
Georgie, feral child, is a scrappy 12-yr-old girl.
TxMike19 December 2023
Set and filmed in the greater London area, Lola Campbell is really good as Georgie. She was an accidental product of teenagers and her dad skipped out pretty quickly. Now that she is 12 her mother developed an illness and died. Somehow Georgie managed to stay in their flat, avoiding Social Services by claiming an uncle lived there. An ingenious girl, she would have the guy at the story recite certain phrases that she could play back during phone calls.
She has to really scrap to stay alive, like nicking things to fence so that she could get some money. Mostly living the life of a feral child, with only one friend, a boy named Ali. Then, out of the blue, this 30-yr-old guy with partially bleached hair shows up, jumping over the back wooden fence. He is her dad, coming back from overseas to see what he might be able to do.
The way the movie starts, with unusual scenes and a very shaky camera, we considered abandoning it. But we didn't and the patience paid off. This is a really nice, heartwarming story about two strangers, daughter and dad, learning about each other and finding how each can enrich the others' life. The last 20 or so minutes is definitely worth the patience.
At home, on DVD, from our public library.
She has to really scrap to stay alive, like nicking things to fence so that she could get some money. Mostly living the life of a feral child, with only one friend, a boy named Ali. Then, out of the blue, this 30-yr-old guy with partially bleached hair shows up, jumping over the back wooden fence. He is her dad, coming back from overseas to see what he might be able to do.
The way the movie starts, with unusual scenes and a very shaky camera, we considered abandoning it. But we didn't and the patience paid off. This is a really nice, heartwarming story about two strangers, daughter and dad, learning about each other and finding how each can enrich the others' life. The last 20 or so minutes is definitely worth the patience.
At home, on DVD, from our public library.
Has a lot of potential that tragically gets wasted
imcpalpatine4 January 2024
This is a cute little movie about a daughter and estranged Dad reconnecting with a few interesting direction choices and overall solid acting. Not only do the characters feel real, there is also surpringly great chemistry between the two leads and you want to see more of them together. The script does not shy away from portraying life as is either with the characters often saying or doing stupid things. However, just as the newly-found connection between the pair has been established, the movie is over. Test the relationship, throw obstacles in its way, display some growth and people working through their grief! Instead, there is attention given to random asides and the movie ends an hour early.
Lola Campbell - Future Star
oweny-3793714 August 2023
Lola Campbell carries this movie as Georgie. She is such a good actress for her age. This is my first time seeing her in a movie and I'm hoping to see her in many more.
As for the rest of the movie, I think it has quite good depictions of how people deal with grief and loss. Georgie's dad in the movie has a particular good little arc and becomes very likeable by the end of the film.
Alin Uzum as Ally has some great comedic moments and lands all his jokes very well. There is also a great little comedic moment with Georgie and her dad in around the mid point of the movie which got a big laugh out of my audience.
As for the rest of the movie, I think it has quite good depictions of how people deal with grief and loss. Georgie's dad in the movie has a particular good little arc and becomes very likeable by the end of the film.
Alin Uzum as Ally has some great comedic moments and lands all his jokes very well. There is also a great little comedic moment with Georgie and her dad in around the mid point of the movie which got a big laugh out of my audience.
solid British indie
SnoopyStyle10 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Georgie (Lola Campbell) is a twelve year old living alone after the death of her loving mother. Ali (Alin Uzun) is a slightly older boy and crime partner. They steal bicycles and do petty crimes to get by. Out of the blue, Jason (Harris Dickinson) shows up and claims to be her long-absent father.
This is a very sweet Dickensian drama. It's a try and tested premise for indies. Georgie is cute. The two kids are cute together. Jason has a sweet reveal. Beating up the other girl is poignant. I do miss Ali in the last act. This is all very simple and sweet from British filmmaker Charlotte Regan. It's a solid indie.
This is a very sweet Dickensian drama. It's a try and tested premise for indies. Georgie is cute. The two kids are cute together. Jason has a sweet reveal. Beating up the other girl is poignant. I do miss Ali in the last act. This is all very simple and sweet from British filmmaker Charlotte Regan. It's a solid indie.
Beautiful from start to finish
duncanrgunn21 December 2023
I watched this on my BFI subscription and, after a couple of minutes, was wondering if it was going to go anywhere other than the artful cinematogrophy. I'm so glad I kept watching because, very soon afterwards, as soon as Georgie and Ali are introduced to us, and as soon as I heard the first lines of script, it was evident that this was special.
What stands out about it? Well, on the surface, the cinematography, acting, script and, of course, direction, is not only individually outstanding but is also cohesive. In the background, the sound, music, production design are all major factors in making this film so special. The colours are incredible.
The script is clever. It's playfully minimal (is that a thing?) with some choice lines. The range of close and wide shots gives the actors a many possibilities to play with, which they do with aplomb.
It's a film about adversity, loss, trust, and love...maybe in that order too.
What stands out about it? Well, on the surface, the cinematography, acting, script and, of course, direction, is not only individually outstanding but is also cohesive. In the background, the sound, music, production design are all major factors in making this film so special. The colours are incredible.
The script is clever. It's playfully minimal (is that a thing?) with some choice lines. The range of close and wide shots gives the actors a many possibilities to play with, which they do with aplomb.
It's a film about adversity, loss, trust, and love...maybe in that order too.
Just About Got Through This Kitchen Sink!
martimusross6 November 2023
Scrapper
We just seem to have seen this same story again and again it's just been done to death. We had it last year in Where The Crawdads Sing, there was just nothing new here.
With that said we had some reasonable acting and the script was bearable, if there was anything redeeming it was the humour and I laughed a good few times.
The directing was good and certainly got the best out of these young actors but the central idea of an abandoned girl living life on the edge by stealing, causing countless misery to others who have been stolen from, and sold the idea that social services are the enemy is a dodgy premise.
It was watchable, so I'm giving it a 6 outta 10 from me.
We just seem to have seen this same story again and again it's just been done to death. We had it last year in Where The Crawdads Sing, there was just nothing new here.
With that said we had some reasonable acting and the script was bearable, if there was anything redeeming it was the humour and I laughed a good few times.
The directing was good and certainly got the best out of these young actors but the central idea of an abandoned girl living life on the edge by stealing, causing countless misery to others who have been stolen from, and sold the idea that social services are the enemy is a dodgy premise.
It was watchable, so I'm giving it a 6 outta 10 from me.
Motherless child meets up with deadbeat dad; sparks fly, but not in a good way
The_late_Buddy_Ryan18 December 2023
Scrapper is a charming, eventually quite involving film about a precocious 12-year-old who's been living by her wits since her mother's death, at least until she's unwillingly reunited with her childlike absentee dad. Some of the opening scenes may seem like your basic indie-film filler--Georgie and her friend Ali goofing around on the grounds of the tidy, brightly painted council estate where they live (looks like the color scheme was suggested by Wes Anderson, btw)--but her deep-fake phone call that convinces "the Social" that she's being looked after by her imaginary uncle is pure comedy gold and totally won me over.
In any case, the pace picks up right away as soon as Dad 's back in the picture. The dialogue's sharp and funny; they both seem to be on the same level as far as emotional maturity goes, and they both have a gift for the same kind of lippy banter. Once in a while the camera cuts away to a chorus of neighborhood kids who comment on what's going on, mostly disapprovingly. The outcome of the father-daughter reunion, though predictable, is still quite moving without being sentimental. Big props to w/d Charlotte Regan--I hope she pitched this one as Paper Moon meets the Florida Project--and to the set dressers or whoever threw together the ceiling-scraping monument that Georgie erects in her mother's bedroom. Highly recommended!
In any case, the pace picks up right away as soon as Dad 's back in the picture. The dialogue's sharp and funny; they both seem to be on the same level as far as emotional maturity goes, and they both have a gift for the same kind of lippy banter. Once in a while the camera cuts away to a chorus of neighborhood kids who comment on what's going on, mostly disapprovingly. The outcome of the father-daughter reunion, though predictable, is still quite moving without being sentimental. Big props to w/d Charlotte Regan--I hope she pitched this one as Paper Moon meets the Florida Project--and to the set dressers or whoever threw together the ceiling-scraping monument that Georgie erects in her mother's bedroom. Highly recommended!
Don't scrap this delightful British indie. Worthy viewing.
tonypeacock-131 August 2023
One of those low budget, British films that I like to catch has all the ingredients of the genre as we watch an independent 12 year old called Georgie reconnect with her estranged father. Jason who left for a new life in Ibiza.
The film has a little comedy element at times which breaks the mood of the film which can otherwise have become depressing and kitchen sink. However the performance of young actress Lola Campbell as Georgie is a delight.
Despite seemingly wearing the same football shirt throughout the film (joked upon in one scene) she brings this film to life as a 12 year old fighting the demons of her mother's passing and living (somehow) alone surviving by stealing cycles and cycle parts and selling them for whatever money she can earn.
The premise of the film has often been repeated but not in the way this film is handled. Be it the location, the characters and their actions or casting a streetwise kid of the street as Georgie. The screenplay does tug at the heart strings as you would expect as the film goes on. It has a pretty short running-time of only 84 minutes but it is a film I would make the effort to watch.
The director, Charlotte Regan makes her feature debut with this film. I will be looking out for future Regan work for sure.
The film has a little comedy element at times which breaks the mood of the film which can otherwise have become depressing and kitchen sink. However the performance of young actress Lola Campbell as Georgie is a delight.
Despite seemingly wearing the same football shirt throughout the film (joked upon in one scene) she brings this film to life as a 12 year old fighting the demons of her mother's passing and living (somehow) alone surviving by stealing cycles and cycle parts and selling them for whatever money she can earn.
The premise of the film has often been repeated but not in the way this film is handled. Be it the location, the characters and their actions or casting a streetwise kid of the street as Georgie. The screenplay does tug at the heart strings as you would expect as the film goes on. It has a pretty short running-time of only 84 minutes but it is a film I would make the effort to watch.
The director, Charlotte Regan makes her feature debut with this film. I will be looking out for future Regan work for sure.
A wonderfully funny and emotional film
ethanbresnett14 August 2023
Scrapper is one of the finest British films I've seen in a long time.
It is a sensitive, hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming film, with a magical performance from Lola Campbell at the core of it all.
She gives one of the most assured and effortless performances that I've ever seen from a young actor, bringing the character of Georgie to life so brilliantly with a perfect blend of grit and innocence.
Harris Dickinson delivers an equally impressive performance that really demonstrates his range and highlights him as one of Britain's best young actors working at the moment.
The themes that the film deals with around grief, family, youth, growth, friendship, are explored beautifully through a mixture of raw emotion and genuinely funny humour. It is a film that deals more in themes than plot points so some may find it a little aimless at times, but this simply gives the characters more room to breathe.
Stylistically Scrapper is a treat. It has a low budget gritty feel to it that really stands out. There isn't anything particularly flashy from Charlotte Regan in the film making, but the use of the camera and the framing makes for a fine looking film that does her great writing justice.
Simply put Scrapper is an absolute treat of a film, that is as funny as it is emotional. It is not one to be missed.
It is a sensitive, hilarious, heartbreaking and heartwarming film, with a magical performance from Lola Campbell at the core of it all.
She gives one of the most assured and effortless performances that I've ever seen from a young actor, bringing the character of Georgie to life so brilliantly with a perfect blend of grit and innocence.
Harris Dickinson delivers an equally impressive performance that really demonstrates his range and highlights him as one of Britain's best young actors working at the moment.
The themes that the film deals with around grief, family, youth, growth, friendship, are explored beautifully through a mixture of raw emotion and genuinely funny humour. It is a film that deals more in themes than plot points so some may find it a little aimless at times, but this simply gives the characters more room to breathe.
Stylistically Scrapper is a treat. It has a low budget gritty feel to it that really stands out. There isn't anything particularly flashy from Charlotte Regan in the film making, but the use of the camera and the framing makes for a fine looking film that does her great writing justice.
Simply put Scrapper is an absolute treat of a film, that is as funny as it is emotional. It is not one to be missed.
Better than expected.
lounisphography15 August 2023
I saw this for a secret screening so I had no idea what that movie was about.
The beginning was a bit slow as it's just follow a child living on her own. It then gets interesting when the father comes in.
It has a lot of cute moments as the dad tries to bond with his daughter that rejects him. He even helps her to steal a bike to be closer to her.
I'm glad the father was a normal guy and not an alcoholic or drugged man.
Pro: The little girl acting was spot on! What a find! She was amazing on every scene and delivered her line with so much ease and emotion.
The rest of the cast was good too.
The cinematography was perfect for that movie.
Con: The camera work. Especially in the begining, the director confused music videos and movie for a bit. But then while the movie went along, it stopped and went back to normal.
I was hoping a bit more tension (like the dad has to leave and it broke her but he changed his mind and stays with her.
Overall as I'm not usually into British movie this one was good to see, mainly due to the protagonist acting.
The beginning was a bit slow as it's just follow a child living on her own. It then gets interesting when the father comes in.
It has a lot of cute moments as the dad tries to bond with his daughter that rejects him. He even helps her to steal a bike to be closer to her.
I'm glad the father was a normal guy and not an alcoholic or drugged man.
Pro: The little girl acting was spot on! What a find! She was amazing on every scene and delivered her line with so much ease and emotion.
The rest of the cast was good too.
The cinematography was perfect for that movie.
Con: The camera work. Especially in the begining, the director confused music videos and movie for a bit. But then while the movie went along, it stopped and went back to normal.
I was hoping a bit more tension (like the dad has to leave and it broke her but he changed his mind and stays with her.
Overall as I'm not usually into British movie this one was good to see, mainly due to the protagonist acting.
Great lead performance but poor script
magnuslhad9 September 2023
Twelve-year-old Georgie lives by herself after her mother passes away, staying just ahead of social services and school with fairly implausible lies. When her biological Dad turns up out of the blue, her life shifts in a new direction.
Lola Campbell is a discovery and her performance alone makes the ticket price worthwhile. Unfortunately, too many other elements are sup-par. I get that it is a fairytale and that the film is attempting to show that working class life does not have to be miserable. But if we are re-inventing representation of the working class, why are they thieves? The Greek chorus of oafish social workers, snobby classmates, and three well-dressed dudes on bikes is cloying. The male teacher, especially, comes across as one-dimensional, with some unfunny comment about grief only taking a morning to get over. In fact, the treatment of grief in general does not convince. Georgie makes mention once of the five stages of grief, but never returns to this theme. Other elements seem tacked on for no narrative reason, such as the West Ham shirt, and Georgie's hearing aid. The one element that does work well is the magic realism notion of Georgie building a tower to Heaven, in a room she keeps locked for herself. Having said that, on-the-nose elements such as a big circle in the ceiling with BREAK written next to it are indicative of overall clumsy scripting. The comedy, too, is fairly flat. I think I smiled once. And the shaky-cam gets annoying.
Yes, it's heartwarming; yes, the father-daughter interaction has fleeting moments of real warmth. But I never really felt any genuine affection for this story, and never really invested in the characters. Too many elements, such as talking spiders, seemed contrived and manipulative.
I will enjoy following Lola Campbell's career. However, with regard to the claims that this film is somehow indicative of a renaissance in British filmmaking, that is nothing more than spin.
Lola Campbell is a discovery and her performance alone makes the ticket price worthwhile. Unfortunately, too many other elements are sup-par. I get that it is a fairytale and that the film is attempting to show that working class life does not have to be miserable. But if we are re-inventing representation of the working class, why are they thieves? The Greek chorus of oafish social workers, snobby classmates, and three well-dressed dudes on bikes is cloying. The male teacher, especially, comes across as one-dimensional, with some unfunny comment about grief only taking a morning to get over. In fact, the treatment of grief in general does not convince. Georgie makes mention once of the five stages of grief, but never returns to this theme. Other elements seem tacked on for no narrative reason, such as the West Ham shirt, and Georgie's hearing aid. The one element that does work well is the magic realism notion of Georgie building a tower to Heaven, in a room she keeps locked for herself. Having said that, on-the-nose elements such as a big circle in the ceiling with BREAK written next to it are indicative of overall clumsy scripting. The comedy, too, is fairly flat. I think I smiled once. And the shaky-cam gets annoying.
Yes, it's heartwarming; yes, the father-daughter interaction has fleeting moments of real warmth. But I never really felt any genuine affection for this story, and never really invested in the characters. Too many elements, such as talking spiders, seemed contrived and manipulative.
I will enjoy following Lola Campbell's career. However, with regard to the claims that this film is somehow indicative of a renaissance in British filmmaking, that is nothing more than spin.
A pleasant surprise
tim-b-roberts21 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I got to see this on a preview screening over a week ago and I have found myself thinking back a few times over the last week so thought I would review
Whilst I was watching a few things was putting me off the film, but I pleasantly enjoyed the acting and the storyline. The fact it was little budget showed, but it was still a really nice film to watch very uplifting and with a point behind it.
For the first 20 to 30 minutes the main actress a child is really annoying, but you do end up warming to her. I do recommend this film to anyone that likes the British council estate style.
You know exactly the type I mean.
Whilst I was watching a few things was putting me off the film, but I pleasantly enjoyed the acting and the storyline. The fact it was little budget showed, but it was still a really nice film to watch very uplifting and with a point behind it.
For the first 20 to 30 minutes the main actress a child is really annoying, but you do end up warming to her. I do recommend this film to anyone that likes the British council estate style.
You know exactly the type I mean.
This will catch you off guard...
garethcrook24 December 2023
This will catch you off guard. Georgie (Lola Campbell) is a good kid dealing with a lot, the loss of her mum, she fends for herself, not always in the best way. She's house proud, misses her mum, deft at picking a lock, in inner city London, she runs a bike racket with her mate Ali (Alin Uzan). All highly illegal of course, but she's instantly likeable. She inhabits a world of slightly hyper real characters. It's gritty and deals with some heavy themes, but there's a lightness to the way this is delivered. Fending for herself, she pulls the wool over everyone's eyes, social services, school and her own. It's full of charm, which is just as well, as it's a big baggy in places early on, but it gets so much spot on that I'll easily forgive it. Grief is hard to portray, but this deals with it beautifully, whilst being genuinely heartwarming. Georgie lives in a West Ham shirt, unbeknownst than it once belonged to Jason (Harris Dickinson), her dad that turns up back on the scene after her mums death, much to Georgie's annoyance. She's wise beyond her years, Jason has his work cut out if he thinks he can just waltz back in. She doesn't trust him, doesn't really trust anyone but Ali, but she'll need to let her guard down if she's going to get on. It's an oddly sweet story. Well put together and acted with humbling honesty. It retains a sense of child like wonder, despite Georgie's persistence that at 12 years old she's got it sorted, she's a scrapper and this is fantastic.
Unexpected Gem
drew-7598915 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film as part a Cineworld secret screening and was sceptical when it first started thinking it may be a Ken Loach type movie. My wife suggested another Kes!
I was however, surprised to find a funny, sweet movie that showed how a young girl (Georgia) copes with life following her mothers death in a not always legal way.
Everything changes once her estranged Father returns and although he's not the perfect dad, he has her best interests at heart and tries to win her over.
Watching them bond is emotional, entertaining and sometimes laugh out loud funny particularly during one scene at the train station.
Highly recommended.
I was however, surprised to find a funny, sweet movie that showed how a young girl (Georgia) copes with life following her mothers death in a not always legal way.
Everything changes once her estranged Father returns and although he's not the perfect dad, he has her best interests at heart and tries to win her over.
Watching them bond is emotional, entertaining and sometimes laugh out loud funny particularly during one scene at the train station.
Highly recommended.
Some how this works for me
kothreat5 December 2023
This film presents a curious case where numerous individual elements seem mismatched and unlikely to blend well, yet, remarkably, they come together to create a cohesive and compelling whole. The synergy of these components remains somewhat of a mystery to me, but there's no denying that the end result is captivating. A significant part of this success can be attributed to the outstanding acting, which brings a level of authenticity and engagement that elevates the entire experience. In essence, despite its seemingly disparate parts, the film manages to work exceptionally well in a way that is both surprising and gratifying.
a nice little movie
zentist-563-9769862 December 2023
The story line has been done a number of times before, but given that it is said that there are only 36 plot lines and 6 basic stories the writer and director can be forgiven.
So that issue addressed, we can look at the movie itself. The acting was decent. The camera work gave a feel for a working class but not particularly depressing environment and, for me, had an authentic feel to it. By the way, I am English.
The story itself was predictable and did not explore any particularly deep issues either at a personal or social level, but that is not why i wanted to watch a movie like this.
It was nice way to spend an hour and a half with much more comedy than drama. I have enough drama in my own life so i really do not need to pay to get more!
So that issue addressed, we can look at the movie itself. The acting was decent. The camera work gave a feel for a working class but not particularly depressing environment and, for me, had an authentic feel to it. By the way, I am English.
The story itself was predictable and did not explore any particularly deep issues either at a personal or social level, but that is not why i wanted to watch a movie like this.
It was nice way to spend an hour and a half with much more comedy than drama. I have enough drama in my own life so i really do not need to pay to get more!
Brilliant deconstruction
A_Different_Drummer4 December 2023
Produced (barely noticed) by Michael Fassbender, one of the most experienced and reliable actors in the biz. It is an interesting paradox that, in a world where our leaders are determined to rule and organize every aspect of our lives (our carbon signature), the best movies these days are the ones with no rules, the ones that break the mold. Scrapper follows precisely none of the usual tropes one associates with this kind of story. That fact, along with brilliant acting and scripting, makes it a standout. The hints of a "Greek choir" at the top and bottom of the film hint at the scripting skills the producers could have deployed to take it up a notch. Wisely, in Scrapper, less is more. Restraint was the right choice. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
Lola Campbell is brilliant, as the British like to say. She's a true natural.
trinaboice19 October 2023
IN A NUTSHELL:
This is the debut for both the director, Charlotte Regan, and her leading young lady, Lola Campbell. They both did a great job! Already, the film has been nominated for various awards and won Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival!
THINGS I LIKED: Lola Campbell is brilliant, as the British like to say. She's a true natural. One thing that's interesting about her character is that she wears a hearing aid, yet it's never mentioned in the story. It's a subtle way of showing that handicaps don't have to define us. I searched online but couldn't verify whether or not Lola wears a hearing aid in real life or if it was just part of the character's life.
Cast members will be mostly unfamiliar to American viewers: Lola Campbell, Alin Uzun, Ambreen Razia, Oliva Brady, and Aylin Tezel. The face you'll probably recognize is that of Harris Dickinson, whom you might recognize from Triangle of Sadness or See How They Run The magic of the storytelling is the chemistry between father and daughter who both struggle in various ways and discover the power of family, even if it is dysfunctional.
The humor is subtle and quirky.
The color palette is bright, despite the characters' gloomy financial prospects. It makes the movie look almost like a modern-day fairy tale.
Occasionally, there are random clips inserted inside scenes. Some have compared that style to that of popular Wes Anderson.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: So many big, icky spiders in the movie! EEK!
Some viewers may find it difficult to understand the thick accents.
The plot seems a bit unrealistic.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: A young girl lives alone after her single mother dies A girl steals bikes to earn money Some profanity A girl hits another girl and knocks her down on the ground.
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THINGS I LIKED: Lola Campbell is brilliant, as the British like to say. She's a true natural. One thing that's interesting about her character is that she wears a hearing aid, yet it's never mentioned in the story. It's a subtle way of showing that handicaps don't have to define us. I searched online but couldn't verify whether or not Lola wears a hearing aid in real life or if it was just part of the character's life.
Cast members will be mostly unfamiliar to American viewers: Lola Campbell, Alin Uzun, Ambreen Razia, Oliva Brady, and Aylin Tezel. The face you'll probably recognize is that of Harris Dickinson, whom you might recognize from Triangle of Sadness or See How They Run The magic of the storytelling is the chemistry between father and daughter who both struggle in various ways and discover the power of family, even if it is dysfunctional.
The humor is subtle and quirky.
The color palette is bright, despite the characters' gloomy financial prospects. It makes the movie look almost like a modern-day fairy tale.
Occasionally, there are random clips inserted inside scenes. Some have compared that style to that of popular Wes Anderson.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: So many big, icky spiders in the movie! EEK!
Some viewers may find it difficult to understand the thick accents.
The plot seems a bit unrealistic.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: A young girl lives alone after her single mother dies A girl steals bikes to earn money Some profanity A girl hits another girl and knocks her down on the ground.
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Funny, sad undertone with a great heart
dmchqwj15 August 2023
Brilliant film. Such a funny and heartfelt story beautifully acted by an amazing young lead. Lola is captivating and hilarious.
It is not a big budget action blockbuster but a a masterful exploration into the innocence of youth, growing up with grief and the reality of every day life of 'normal' middle of the road working class kids and parenting. The film keeps you on edge and fully rooting for the complex characters whilst hitting you with a gut punch scene of realisation sadness, and the reality of what it means to be a parent!
Please give this small film a chance, it won't let you down!!
It is not a big budget action blockbuster but a a masterful exploration into the innocence of youth, growing up with grief and the reality of every day life of 'normal' middle of the road working class kids and parenting. The film keeps you on edge and fully rooting for the complex characters whilst hitting you with a gut punch scene of realisation sadness, and the reality of what it means to be a parent!
Please give this small film a chance, it won't let you down!!
Cinema Omnivore - Scrapper (2023) 7.0/10
lasttimeisaw4 December 2023
"Skirting around the more practical aspects of their lives, SCRAPPER ends with a chipper note that folds parentification into parenthood after the two reconcile their feelings and reservations. However, by making light of Georgie and Jason's precarious state, SCRAPPER risks to be pegged as another quixotical fairytale, injecting a life-affirming shot to audience's arm instead of providing something useful which can better their lives. Bicycle-filching isn't an ideal meal ticket, once caught, Jason might forfeit his guardianship and what woeful fate would befall a headstrong Georgia, one could only imagine."
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TRIES WAY TOO HARD to make you feel something
CineParaTodos3 September 2023
SCRAPPER has so much potential but unfortunately quickly falls apart.
What Worked: The characters were authentic and grounded and the acting was strong. Some of the magical realism was done well. There was heart. The way the characters in Georgie's neighborhood and life are explored is creative, as is the use of color. I also appreciated that even though Georgie had a hearing aid, it was just part of her world and never really spoken about. It just was normalised.
What didn't work: The story was trying too hard to pull at your heartstrings and often took itself too seriously. Not much happens, it's slow and repetitive and the whole story could have been told in a 25 minute short film with the same emotional arc. The emotional investment that is established in the prologue is promising but it then you're living in that same space for what feels like a 2hr film (even though it was 84 minutes it felt like it never ended). The script wasn't tight and some plot points were left unanswered.
Overall it's definitely what you would expect a Sundance film to look and feel like (hence why Sundance is becoming more and more irrelevant and tone deaf).
If you wanna watch a great movie about poor white single-parent family, I much prefer THE FLORIDA PROJECT as it was more restrained in its request for your heartstrings and yet manages to tug at them harder. Watching THE FLORIDA PROJECT I was moved to cry, watching SCRAPPER I kept think wow, they're really wanting me to feel this certain way at this moment in the story, when will this be over?
What Worked: The characters were authentic and grounded and the acting was strong. Some of the magical realism was done well. There was heart. The way the characters in Georgie's neighborhood and life are explored is creative, as is the use of color. I also appreciated that even though Georgie had a hearing aid, it was just part of her world and never really spoken about. It just was normalised.
What didn't work: The story was trying too hard to pull at your heartstrings and often took itself too seriously. Not much happens, it's slow and repetitive and the whole story could have been told in a 25 minute short film with the same emotional arc. The emotional investment that is established in the prologue is promising but it then you're living in that same space for what feels like a 2hr film (even though it was 84 minutes it felt like it never ended). The script wasn't tight and some plot points were left unanswered.
Overall it's definitely what you would expect a Sundance film to look and feel like (hence why Sundance is becoming more and more irrelevant and tone deaf).
If you wanna watch a great movie about poor white single-parent family, I much prefer THE FLORIDA PROJECT as it was more restrained in its request for your heartstrings and yet manages to tug at them harder. Watching THE FLORIDA PROJECT I was moved to cry, watching SCRAPPER I kept think wow, they're really wanting me to feel this certain way at this moment in the story, when will this be over?
Not as grim as you might think...
scottishgeekguy15 August 2023
Written & directed by Charlotte Regan Scrapper tells the story of 12 year old Georgie.
Her mum had recently died, and she's taking herself through the 5 stages of grief (as you can guess... George is not your typical 12 year old)
She's also living by herself in the council flat she was in with her mum, she's fooling the local council into believing her uncle is looking after, and she spends her days with her best pal ali, played by Alin Uzun (apologies if I'm butchering the pronunciation)
It doesn't take long for Georgies 'safe at face value' current living situation to be turned on its head with the arrival of Jason, played by Harris Dickinson.... Jason.... Georgies dad... Whom she's never met....
Plot wise that kicks things off, and the movie is really about these 2 lost souls... An immature 30 year old father and and overly mature 12 year old daughter... Trying to navigate their way though their current, unexpected, forced to share existence.
The success of a movie like this... Really hinges on one thing.... And that's the performance of the main character.... Of the 12 year old....
And thankfully, said 12 year old knocks it out of the park
Performances across the board are very good... The entire movie would fail badly if the main character wasn't believable, and Lola Campbell more than delivers on that front.
I'm not sure how old the actress was while filming... But the character of George is 12.... And she looked about 12...so... We'll go with 12
To get this level of natural perfomance from a child is quite an accomplishment, so kudos to director and star for that. Georgie is on screen for id say 85% of this movie.... So it's safe to she she carries it.
The other half of the one two punch performance duo is Harris Dickinson, playing Jason, Georgies dad (eagle eyes viewers might recognise him from triangle of sadness....) and he is equally great and believable.
His performance in particular is very restrained and understated... He says more with the tiniest changes in his facial expressions that he does with his lines... And I mean that as a huge compliment
Scrapper is... As the title suggests... A scrappy little movie. (again, it's a compliment)
Visually, it's a bit of a mixed bag this film
On the one hand there's typical, gritty hand held aesthetic to a lot of the movie...
But in contrast to that, many of the scenes are quite locked off and the frame is very deliberately composed.
In these scenes Georgie is often sitting down, framed st the bottom of the screen with large structures (walls, buildings etc) behind her...
I'd venture to say that's a very deliberate choice on the filmmakers part.... To try and convey to the audience how Georgie Is ACTUALLY feeling in that moment... When she's feeling lost and out of control.... Camera is hand held, shaky and chaotic.... When she's more at peace (internally) the camera is locked off....
There's another element to the visual style I'm gonna talk about here, and thats the.... The fantasy element.
Won't say too much as I don't want to give anything away....but theres a few scenes that are very clearly fantasy.... And it's these scenes that I just don't think work all that well...
They kinda stick out a bit.... But not in a good way.... And the few times we as an audience are shown this fantasy element.... It took me out of the film.... A film which I was very much invested in.
Given that it's a birtish movie about a kid on a council estate whose lost her mum.... I think people might be expecting a bit of a darker movie..
Even though the film does deal with that darknees.... It's a actually quite a light hearted film.
It wears it's heart on its sleeve, and it is a very Ernest, very genuine film...
My only criticism (other than the fantasy scenes mentioned) would be that.... It's maybe a little too light hearted.... I'm not saying I wanted dank and miserable gritty council estate drama.... But it did feel the film was missing one or 2 scenes of... Well yeah... Gritty realism... To give it some pathos.
Thats not to say I didn't enjoy the movie... I did.... But yeah.... Feels like theres a moment or 2 of closure, or realisation that's missing.
That being said., I did like it.
7/10 from scrapper, very VERY strong performances from both Lola Campbell and Harris Dickinson. And a safe, assured pair of hands in writer / director Charlotte Regan
Thats us folks, be sure to check out Scrapper in cinemas if and when you can, and I'll catch you in the next video
✌🏻
Jimmy @scottishgeekguy on youtube and all social media.
Her mum had recently died, and she's taking herself through the 5 stages of grief (as you can guess... George is not your typical 12 year old)
She's also living by herself in the council flat she was in with her mum, she's fooling the local council into believing her uncle is looking after, and she spends her days with her best pal ali, played by Alin Uzun (apologies if I'm butchering the pronunciation)
It doesn't take long for Georgies 'safe at face value' current living situation to be turned on its head with the arrival of Jason, played by Harris Dickinson.... Jason.... Georgies dad... Whom she's never met....
Plot wise that kicks things off, and the movie is really about these 2 lost souls... An immature 30 year old father and and overly mature 12 year old daughter... Trying to navigate their way though their current, unexpected, forced to share existence.
The success of a movie like this... Really hinges on one thing.... And that's the performance of the main character.... Of the 12 year old....
And thankfully, said 12 year old knocks it out of the park
Performances across the board are very good... The entire movie would fail badly if the main character wasn't believable, and Lola Campbell more than delivers on that front.
I'm not sure how old the actress was while filming... But the character of George is 12.... And she looked about 12...so... We'll go with 12
To get this level of natural perfomance from a child is quite an accomplishment, so kudos to director and star for that. Georgie is on screen for id say 85% of this movie.... So it's safe to she she carries it.
The other half of the one two punch performance duo is Harris Dickinson, playing Jason, Georgies dad (eagle eyes viewers might recognise him from triangle of sadness....) and he is equally great and believable.
His performance in particular is very restrained and understated... He says more with the tiniest changes in his facial expressions that he does with his lines... And I mean that as a huge compliment
Scrapper is... As the title suggests... A scrappy little movie. (again, it's a compliment)
Visually, it's a bit of a mixed bag this film
On the one hand there's typical, gritty hand held aesthetic to a lot of the movie...
But in contrast to that, many of the scenes are quite locked off and the frame is very deliberately composed.
In these scenes Georgie is often sitting down, framed st the bottom of the screen with large structures (walls, buildings etc) behind her...
I'd venture to say that's a very deliberate choice on the filmmakers part.... To try and convey to the audience how Georgie Is ACTUALLY feeling in that moment... When she's feeling lost and out of control.... Camera is hand held, shaky and chaotic.... When she's more at peace (internally) the camera is locked off....
There's another element to the visual style I'm gonna talk about here, and thats the.... The fantasy element.
Won't say too much as I don't want to give anything away....but theres a few scenes that are very clearly fantasy.... And it's these scenes that I just don't think work all that well...
They kinda stick out a bit.... But not in a good way.... And the few times we as an audience are shown this fantasy element.... It took me out of the film.... A film which I was very much invested in.
Given that it's a birtish movie about a kid on a council estate whose lost her mum.... I think people might be expecting a bit of a darker movie..
Even though the film does deal with that darknees.... It's a actually quite a light hearted film.
It wears it's heart on its sleeve, and it is a very Ernest, very genuine film...
My only criticism (other than the fantasy scenes mentioned) would be that.... It's maybe a little too light hearted.... I'm not saying I wanted dank and miserable gritty council estate drama.... But it did feel the film was missing one or 2 scenes of... Well yeah... Gritty realism... To give it some pathos.
Thats not to say I didn't enjoy the movie... I did.... But yeah.... Feels like theres a moment or 2 of closure, or realisation that's missing.
That being said., I did like it.
7/10 from scrapper, very VERY strong performances from both Lola Campbell and Harris Dickinson. And a safe, assured pair of hands in writer / director Charlotte Regan
Thats us folks, be sure to check out Scrapper in cinemas if and when you can, and I'll catch you in the next video
✌🏻
Jimmy @scottishgeekguy on youtube and all social media.
See also
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