Goodbye Charlie Bright

Infobox_Film
name = Goodbye Charlie Bright


image_size = 250px
caption = Goodbye Charlie Bright 2001
director = Nick Love
producer = Lisa Bryer, Charles Steel
writer = Dominic Eames, Nick Love
narrator =
starring = Phil Daniels, Danny Dyer, Paul Nicholls, Roland Manookian, Jamie Foreman, Dani Behr
music = Ivor Guest
cinematography = Tony Imi
editing =
distributor = Cowboy Films
released = May 11, 2001 (UK)
runtime = 87 min. (approx.)
country = UK
language = English
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website =
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0217824

"Goodbye Charlie Bright" is a 2001 film directed by Nick Love and starring Paul Nicholls, Roland Manookian and Danny Dyer. The film is also known by the U.S. title "Strong Boys".

Plot

The story follows the often turbulent friendship between Charlie (Nicholls), Justin (Manookian) and a group of other youths from their South London estate. Charlie's life ambles along as the group enjoy a lifestyle of house parties, casual sex and drugs. However, after breaking into a house, three of the friends (Charlie, Justin and Damien) accidentally awaken the owner who promptly chases them into the street with a golf club. The trio escape, much to the amusement of Justin and Damien. However, whilst in the house Charlie stole a handgun and despite promising to tell Justin everything, decides to keep the gun a secret.

Sometime later the story picks up Charlie and Justin as they walk through a derelict car park. After looking in the window of a BMW it becomes clear that Julie, the girlfriend Francis (Dyer), another member of 'The Firm' is having sex with 'The local nutter' Eddie (Phil Daniels). By this time in the story it has become clear that Charlie is discontented with his lifestyle and would prefer to try and make something of his life, unlike Justin, who would clearly prefer things to remain the same. This point is highlighted when the two attend a party being thrown by Hector Moriati (Cousin to Charlie), with Charlie being offered a job as an estate agent, much to the displeasure of Justin. Justin is eventually thrown out by Hector, who in turn asks Charlie to stay (which he does not). On the way back to the estate the pair begin to fight, Charlie clearly annoyed that Justin has ruined an opportunity for him to turn his life around. Charlie, as the narrator, informs the audience that from that point on 'Things could never be the same'.

The following day Francis approaches Charlie in the street and the pair head off to a boxing gym where Francis announces his intention to propose to Julie. Charlie tells Francis about Julie's affair with Eddie. Francis, in a tearfull rage walks out of the room and goes on the hunt for Eddie, baseball bat in hand. When Francis eventually finds Eddie he smashes the window of his BMW, causing Eddie to run him down. Charlie then arrives as Francis lies unconscious on the road. As Charlie waits in hospital he is visibly moved by an upset woman, presumably Francis' mother, and decides to take revenge on Eddie with the stolen pistol. After finding Eddie he looses his nerve prompting Eddie to tell him to 'Fuck of out my house before you and I fall out'. After leaving Charlie eventually shows the gun to Justin, who clearly becomes very attached to it and suggests killing Eddie.

Justin is later insulted by a child in the park and threatens him with the gun, going as far as pushing the barrel into the terrified boys mouth. Disgusted, Charlie snatches the gun from and tells him he no longer wishes to be associated with him, making it clear to Justin that when his back is turned people 'Take the piss' out of him. A distraught Justin tries to make amends but Charlie refuses, instead giving him the gun as a farewell gift. Instantly Justin runs off, pursued by Charlie who has realised that Justin intends to shoot Eddie. Before Charlie is able to stop him Justin shoots Eddie in the leg and the pair make their way to the top of a high rise building, where Charlie seemingly forgives Justin and the two embrace.

Meanwhile the police arrive and Justin tells Charlie to leave or risk 'Getting nicked as well'. The final scene is set to the brilliant Oasis Hit 'Live Forever' and the camera follows the pair on their different routes - Justin as he is arrested, albeit with a smile on his face and with a crowd cheering for him and Charlie as he packs his bags and leaves, being asked where he is going by a child as he does so, he simply replies 'Somewhere'.

Critical reaction

The film was received reasonably well by critics, with The Sun labelling it "Hilarious, Terrifying, Tender an awesome rollercoaster ride you won't want to get off".

Cast

*Charlie - Paul Nicholls
*Justin - Roland Manookian
*Francis - Danny Dyer
*Eddie - Phil Daniels
*Charlie's Dad - David Thewlis
*Tony Immaculate - Jamie Forman
*Tommy Mitchell's Dad - Frank Harper
*Blondie - Dani Behr
*Duke - Brian Jordan
*Duke's girlfriend - Lucy Bowen
*Julie - Nicola Stapleton
*Janet - Sian Welsh
*Damien - Alexis Rodney
*Tommy - Sid Mitchell
*Kay - Tameka Empson
*Hector - Richard Driscoll
*Gang Youth 1 - Rajeev Ahya
*Gang Youth 3 - Amar Maroo

Further reading

Following the success of the film director Nick Love has gone on to release a series of other popular films, including The Football Factory (2004) , The Business (2005) and "Outlaw" (2007), all starring Danny Dyer.

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217824/]
* [http://www.britfilms.com/britishfilms/catalogue/browse/?id=D5FD9B420eeaf2E8F5sLoTCEEC23 British Films and Film Makers]
* [http://www.timeout.com/film/newyork/reviews/70380/Goodbye_Charlie_Bright.html Timeout review of "Goodbye Charlie Bright]
* [http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=103908 Film 4 review]