THE RIOT CLUB
2014
15
Directed by Lone Scherfig
Starring Max Irons, Douglas Booth and Sam Claflin
The Riot Club is an adaptation of Laura Wade's 2010
stage play Posh which was inspired by the infamous Bullingdon Club.
Historically the society, inextricably linked with Oxford University, hosts lavish
dinners often followed by substantial damage to the host dining establishment with the knowledge that reimbursement will not be an issue. Alumni
include Cameron, Osborne and Johnson and the club seems to be a stomping ground
for the future movers and shakers of the upper stratum of our society. The
movie depicts Miles' (Irons) and Alistair's (Claflin) rise to glory in the Club
and their subsequent fall from grace (though perhaps not...)
The movie centres around the dinner itself at a
family run gastropub in the middle of nowhere. We are introduced to the
meticulously proud owner who unwittingly accommodates the boys under the
pretence they are a club of young entrepreneurs. As the dinner progresses the
juxtaposition of the activity in the private dining room contrasted with the pub
is excruciating. Birthday celebrations, families and normal people having a
meal out is set against a seedy backdrop of hookers, wealth and debauched
behaviour metres away in the back room. It's a sad watch and the climax is
quite horrific.
The members of the club are superbly unpleasant. Pacing
in the first and second acts is incredible, whilst the third loses a touch of
momentum. We are introduced to these entertaining, sexy and glamorously fun
young men, everyone laughs and you can see how someone like Miles could be drawn
into the Club. Then the tone changes, it gets out of hand and escalates to a
point that the previous laughter feels inappropriate and something to feel
guilty of. The Riot Club may be a little heavy handed, deliberate and
farfetched but at its core is a message that may be based on more than a unfair stereotype.
It's not entirely a political satire and as a project seems
unsure whether it wants to be a teenage comedy or a cutting portrait of the
ruling elite. Though perhaps that is the point; as a university student, the
banter, socialect and repartee are believable and the initial humour created
shows how these boys can be charming, lovable 'toffs' - not these vile caricatures
that I expected.
However, The Riot Club does lack depth and insight. If the
director's intention was to perpetuate the class divide and rile up the
electorate prior to the next general election, the opportunity was missed. The
film will certainly raise eyebrows and bring light to the darker side privilege
but this is not revolutionary or shocking enough to enrage the cinema
audiences. Still, it got under my skin and made me agree with a sentiment
vocalised by Max Irons - if what the Bullingdon Club get up to is true, they're
are just doing the same thing as the rioters did in London. The difference is,
the rioters in London got a prison sentence and made an example of whereas the boys in the movie have
been given every advantage, privilege and opportunity - yet do the same thing
and can just pay for it while it all gets swept under the rug and forgotten
about whilst they forge distinguished careers. This notion is reflected in the
final scene; a clinical, accusatory snapshot of Britain's class system. It is
indeed political, theatrical and shockingly entertaining but it just lacks a
bit of much needed bite.
I don't quite predict a riot...
Rating: 7
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