Watch Urban Hymn

Urban Hymn is a touching drama from 2015, directed by Michael Caton-Jones and featuring stunning performances by Shirley Henderson, Letitia Wright, and Isabella Laughland. The story is set in a bleak and impoverished part of London, where two teenage girls from vastly different backgrounds find themselves in the same care home. Jamie (Letitia Wright) is a bright and spirited young woman with a passion for music, but a troubled past that has left her cynical and distrustful of authority. Urban Hymn follows Jamie as she struggles to break free from her troubled past with the help of her supportive care worker Kate (Shirley Henderson) and her newfound talent for singing.

The opening scenes of the film set the tone for the story, showing Jamie as a young girl in a rundown council estate, witnessing a brutal attack on her mother. The scene is filmed in a gritty and realistic style, with shaky hand-held camera work and a muted color palette, giving a sense of the bleakness and poverty that surrounds Jamie's life. There is a sense of hopelessness that pervades the opening scenes, as Jamie seems destined to follow in her mother's footsteps and end up on the wrong side of the tracks. However, this changes when she meets Kate, a care worker who recognizes Jamie's talent for singing and enlists her in a local choir.

The relationship between Jamie and Kate is at the heart of the film, and the chemistry between Shirley Henderson and Letitia Wright is palpable. Henderson gives a nuanced and sympathetic portrayal of a woman who is dedicated to helping troubled young people, but also has her own demons to confront. Wright, meanwhile, is a revelation as Jamie, bringing a sense of raw energy and vulnerability to the character. She has a natural screen presence and a powerful singing voice, which makes the musical scenes in the film particularly compelling.

As Jamie begins to explore her talent for singing, she also starts to confront the dark secrets of her past. Her estranged best friend Leanne (Isabella Laughland) resurfaces, and Jamie is torn between her loyalty to Leanne and her growing sense of responsibility to her new-found friends in the choir. The relationship between Jamie and Leanne is complex, and the film explores the emotional dynamics between them with subtlety and nuance. Isabella Laughland gives a strong and sympathetic portrayal of a young woman who is struggling with addiction and a sense of hopelessness.

As the film builds towards its climax, there are several powerful and emotional scenes that showcase the talents of the cast and crew. The musical scenes, in particular, are beautifully choreographed and filmed, with an infectious sense of joy and celebration. The final scenes of the film are incredibly moving, and the film provides a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion to the story.

Overall, Urban Hymn is a powerful and uplifting drama that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. The film explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and the power of music to heal even the deepest wounds. The story is told with sensitivity and nuance, and the central performances from Shirley Henderson, Letitia Wright, and Isabella Laughland are exceptional. Michael Caton-Jones' direction is assured and confident, and the film is a testament to the power of storytelling to bring people together and inspire hope in even the darkest of circumstances.

Urban Hymn is a 2017 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 51.