War is futile. War is a waste. War lays ruin to generations of promising young people.
It’s the message of so many war films, but even more when the war in question is not between nations but between urban gangs — youths killing one another over petty grievances and turf battles that mean nothing to anyone else. Such films generally do not conclude there’s anything useful about gang violence.
Seen in that light, “Blue Story,” a chronicle of youth gangs in south London, is hardly revolutionary. What distinguishes this debut feature from Andrew Onwubolu, aka Rapman, is firstly its storytelling structure, making welcome use of the writer-director’s rap talents to serve as a Greek chorus. And secondly its cast, with several vital performances of note, especially from heartbreaking newcomer Stephen Odubola.
This doesn’t make “Blue Story” an easy experience. You’ll be ground down, over 91 minutes, not only by the brutality of these street wars but also by the depressing sameness of it all. This is is likely part of Rapman’s aim. But be warned: There may be moments when, faced with another pointless foray by hooded youngsters with guns and knives into the menacing streets, you’ll be tempted to give up.
“Blue Story,“ which stems from a short YouTube trilogy Rapman did in 2014, is not a tale of two cities but of two boroughs — or postal codes, as the director has put it — and one key friendship. The rapport between school mates Timmy (Odubola) and Marco (Micheal Ward, brooding and charismatic) is so convincingly rendered that it’s a true shock when, later, we see how easily such a bond can dissolve.
We briefly meet Timmy as a young boy, being dressed up in a crisp shirt and tie to go to school in Peckham — a different school than all his friends, he complains, but a better school, says his no-nonsense mother.
The young Timmy strikes an instant friendship with Marco. Flash forward to the present, with the two as teenagers, just as rambunctious and football-loving and happy in each other’s presence, though Timmy is clearly the more academically motivated.
There’s a sweetness to Timmy, who is notable not only for his loyalty to friends but also his evolved attitude toward women. When he meets Leah (an affecting Karla Simone-Spence), he tells his sex-minded mates: “I don’t want sex. I just want her.”
Some of the most engaging scenes involve Leah, whom Timmy woos with no more than his shy smile, an offer to binge-watch “Game of Thrones,” and some Doritos. At one point he compliments her singing and tells her she could be a star. “How many singers do you know from Peckham?” she asks, skeptically. He reminds her that John Boyega — of “Star Wars” no less — is from Peckham. It’s not just a humorous throwaway line. He’s telling her that location doesn’t need to define her.
But when tragedy strikes months later, it is indeed location that determines loyalties and fates.
Following an event that bisects the film — no spoilers here — we’ll see a change plainly on Timmy’s face. It’s a striking transformation that Odubola makes, from bouyant and hopeful to brittle and cynical. In Marco, we’ve already seen this quality flickering. For Timmy, it’s something new.
Aside from these compelling young actors, the success here is the fresh and original voice of Rapman, who has said “Blue Story” is largely based on his own life.
“I hope these young’uns wake up and they start seeing the light,” goes one of his raps for the film. “I ain’t tryna justify but imma show you what these young boys are fighting for.” Depressingly, though, what we learn is they’re fighting to defend something as trivial as what postal code they wound up in.
‘Blue Story’
Three stars
out of four stars
Rated R; violence, language, drug use, sexuality
1 hour, 31 minutes
Now available via VOD
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