SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Spoonatects Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

Taraparain Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Aryana Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.

Sean Rivera Urban Hymn, a new film by Michael Caton-Jones, explores depths in London-based youth delinquents that are seldom discussed. Following Jamie, a troubled teenager, she has multiple run ins with the law. She bunks with other troubled kids and feels the need to cause trouble and harm for no true cause other than to live for the moment. But she meets Kate, a social worker, who challenges Jamie to transform herself and abandon her abrasive attitude and make something of herself. This is not a clean act as temptations in the form of possessive friend, Leanne, keeps Jamie in check and fears for being abandoned. Regardless, Kate is determined to show Jamie that she has true potential that can really take her to better places. It's a feel good movie that focuses on character and amazingly, these actors keep the momentum moving and the film more engrossing. It's well paced and sensitively directed. The music is enlightening and pivotal to the story. Wonderfully true to life, film lovers will discover that Urban Hymn really gives character study a good name!

Amanda Nasc What a breathtaking film! Urban Hymn is a powerful and heart-wrenching story of an inner-city teenager named Jamie Harrison, broken from her harrowing journey thus far. Jamie discovers her purpose in life through the grace and generosity of social worker Kate Linton, as she leads Jamie toward the power of music. Jamie then reveals to have a stunning voice that astonishes all who have only known her for pillaging and being an overall miscreant. Her troubled past life seems to get in the way of her newfound hope for a better life for herself, namely her degenerate best friend Leanne whose selfish attempts to keep Jamie from following her dream results in a shocking twist at the end of the film. From a cinematographic standpoint, the aesthetic of the multiple shots of Kate running through the park in London on a cloudy day matches the tone of film so perfectly. I think the thing that really makes this film stand out is its actors' incredible performances. They are so transparent and passionate; the story itself is such a classic turnaround coming of age story, but it is so beautifully and organically illustrated through these unique characters. This thrilling and complex film is definitely a must-see!

Justin Anderson Urban Hymn, directed by Michael Caton-Jones, is the story of a troubled youth saved by her love of music. That may sound all-too-familiar, but the story of Jamie Harrison is set apart by the quality of the performances, filmmaking and music selection. The stellar work of Shirley Henderson and Letitia Wright is sure to have you fighting back tears at least once as the film moves along, as will Caton-Jones' beautiful shots. Close-ups of sunflowers, trees swaying in the breeze, neon-soaked clubs and London streets are all captured masterfully and the accompanying soul songs do not hurt either. At the heart of Urban Hymn, though, is the relationship triangle of Jamie, her rough best friend (Leanne) and her caring social worker (Kate). The three push and pull at each other constantly, enabling one to get what they want while disappointing another. Kate wants the best for Jamie in a way to cope with the death of her son while Leanne wants to keep Jamie in a life of crime because she is all she ever had. This leads to some great tension and emotion throughout. I immediately think of a confrontation between Leanne and Kate that is nerve-racking enough to make you shout at the screen. Caton-Jones' film is at the top of its class and I recommend Urban Hymn to anyone looking for a compelling and expertly-crafted piece of cinema.

Monica Summer Urban Hymn is as uplifting as it is breathtaking. Every second of this film is drenched with emotion, which can be attributed to the phenomenal acting of Shirley Henderson and Letitia Wright. Both women play their parts with infinite grace and realism, and breathe so much life into Kate and Jamie. Kate Linton is a social worker who dedicates her time to helping Jamie Harrison, a seemingly lost cause about to age out of a group home. Kate sees Jamie's potential and refuses to give up on her, even when Jamie gives up on herself. Ignoring the doubts of her husband and coworkers, Kate convinces Jamie to join a community choir. This small act of compassion helps Jamie blossom into a brilliant singer and gives her a way out from her tumultuous life. Music is tied in so elegantly with the plot of the film, and the scenes in which Jamie performs never feel awkward or out of place. Every character in this film has so much dimension, which makes them equally lovable and relatable. We see both the good and the bad of Jamie, yet we are able to relate with her tough life and questionable decisions. I have yet to see a film that inspires me as much as Urban Hymn has. From film buffs to music lovers, anyone can find some aspect of this masterpiece to relate to.