Perhaps, English has been boiled down to a few choice obscenities. Furthermore, there is so much foul language in this movie that the “F” word is used with almost every breath. Susceptible youth may see this movie and say this looks like fun or, at least a good way to make money. The famous young actress Christina Ricci says that she learned how to be anorexic from television programs condemning anorexia. SWEET SIXTEEN is anti-drug, anti-swearing, anti-self-destruction, but uses all of the aforementioned “anti-s” in such a way as to almost promote what it claims to be against. Mom, however, returns to Stan, and Liam knifes and kills Stan in a rage. When Mom gets out, Liam gives her a beautiful apartment courtesy of the mob and a fabulous party. When Liam confronts Pinball, Pinball slashes his face with a knife.Ĭhantelle tries to tell Liam that his mom will not change. He abandons Pinball, and Pinball retaliates by burning the mobile home Liam is buying. He dreams of a creating a safe haven beyond the reach of wasters like his Mom’s boyfriend Stan and his own mean-spirited grandfather.Īfter getting beaten to a pulp several times by irate drug addicts, Liam becomes so successful as a dealer, that the mob recruits him. Liam is determined that this time things will be different. She is due to be released in time for his 16th birthday, and he wants to surprise her. Liam decides he is going to take care of his Mom when she gets out of prison so he starts stealing and dealing drugs to make enough money to buy her a mobile home. They even take Colum on a frightening joyride. Liam and his friend Pinball don’t listen to Chantelle. She has a young son, perhaps two years old, named Colum, and tells Liam not to curse or use drugs while he around Colum.

Chantelle, played by Annmarie Fulton who gives such a powerful performance that it will make anyone weep, is the one beacon of light in the family. Liam goes to his sister Chantelle’s apartment. When he walks home, all his meager belongings have been thrown out on the street. On the way home, Stan and Liam’s grandfather pull Liam out of the car and beat and kick him violently while screaming the “F” word. Liam refuses, even when his mother asks him to do so because he doesn’t want her to get more time in prison. SWEET SIXTEEN opens with Liam, in a brilliant performance by Martin Compston, being told by his mother’s lover, Stan, and his grandfather to stuff drugs in his mouth so he can pass them to his mother in prison when they kiss. Loach abandons his hard political edge to construct a violent, drug infested, foul mouthed, tragic movie about the drug scene in Scotland. SWEET SIXTEEN is not sweet, but it is a powerful, cautionary tale with a tragic ending by famed leftist British director Ken Loach.

Sweet sixteen movie references