The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

The reason I wanted to write a review about this film..I saw the latest 'shot caller' prison noir kinda movie. Which was quite fine. But never on this level. If you peeps wanna see a real hardcore prison-no-Hollywood- film. U gotta watch this one! Aside from Ben Mendelsohn who is one of the most brutal and insane actors around, this young guy in the lead is haunting material ( this is violent.) I bet the Jack O'Connell dude is gonna be a big-shot because of this film. I'm not gonna spoil anything further… See this! Its very brutal,nailing & awkward at times. Its very raw & it stays with you. See it!!

STARRED UP is another modern-day prison flick, this time a British one. Before everybody starts groaning and thinking "what, again?!", let me reassure you that this one's not sugar-coated at all. There's no sentiment here, just brutality throughout, and yet it becomes an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Even with all the violence and bad language and animalistic behaviour, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.The film features Jack O'Connell ('71) in a star-making performance as a disturbed young man who has just been transferred (aka starred up) to men's prison from juvenile. To complicate things further, his own father is an inmate, and the two have a volatile relationship. I've seen the Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn before in a few Hollywood flicks and didn't think much of him, but he's a perfect fit for the part here.A lot of the usual prison clichés are played out here, but they happen in a matter-of-fact and dare I say it grimly realistic way. The violence is brutal but not overdone, and it does serve a purpose rather than being gratuitous. And the realism is top-notch, reminding me of the BRONSON film at times. Despite all this writer Jonathan Asser manages to tell a believable storyline with an identifiable beginning, middle, and end. It's a good little film, although not for all tastes given the subject matter.

I always voted for UK film productions, and this is one tiny example of the many that are out there.Starred up is a wicked movie that explores the prison system of the United Kingdom.By the time you're done watching the movie you can certainly spot out differences between American and UK prison systems; especially if you had studied them in full depth (in sociological matters to be precise).Overall, the acting from all characters was remarkable and I really got a sense of being in a UK prison just by watching the movie.The directing of the film is extraordinary; a jolly good job to them Britannic artists.

I "met" the actor watching quite good British TV series - Skins. The second time I faced him in the psychological thriller Eden Lake. Then there was the recent Unbroken movie directed by Angelina Jolie. And judging by these films (and the series) I am very happy how his acting career "proceeds".The movie is about Eric Love (O'Connell) - 19-year-old, incredibly cruel, violent and straightforward teenager. Starring up into the new jail, plunging into a new environment, Eric surprise us with his actions and decisions. From the moment of his arrival he causes only trouble and nuisance as to prison guards and so to prisoners.Neville Love (Ben Mendelsohn) adds fuel to the fire - father of Eric whom he had not seen 5 years. Neville, at first glance, seems to be even more "broken" than his son and his attempts to help Eric at first seem strange and suspicious.Another highlight of the film, in addition to the excellent acting and the story is the absence of music as such. This feature makes the film even more clear and straightforward.The film left a lasting impression because of it's honesty and strong emotional message. Honest and brutal, Starred Up is not aimed at a wide audience, it is very secret and intimate way talks about human relationships.The final scenes are striking, incredibly strong and comprehensive final.8/10.