Urchin Movie Review

By : Dominic La-Viola

Urchin, the new film written and directed by Harris Dickerson. Starring Frank Dillane, as Mike.  A drug addict who living on the streets, until he robs and beats a man who, ultimately was just trying to help him. 

Now this isn’t the first film on drug addiction or drug addicts, and the struggle in which they face in their day to day life. However this is one that never quite fits its footing. 

I can’t say that I have seen every movie that has every tackled or even took the mantle on the issue that is addiction, although I have seen my fair share of them, and this one is without question one of the worst. 

The film opens with watching Mike, as he is sleeping on the street, more so pasted out on the street, next to a building. Yet mostly in the curb, aside the street, leaving me wondering how is it no one ran him over.

 

Yet the film simply just lets us observe him, watch him in what appears to be his natural state if you will. Watching him wonder through the streets, up to the point where we see him making a bed out of cardboard and a sleeping bag.

Without question it’s depressing and yes, anyone would feel sympathy for him. Watching someone struggle to that extent. Yet the scene that follows makes it almost abundantly clear why people have the judgements that they do, and the film simply reinforces them. 

We see Mike fighting with another homeless addict, for he not only knew him, but they were “friends”. The other person stole his wallet, which he was sure of, for he was the only person in which he told where he hid his stuff. 

A fight breaks out and he begins to beat on the homeless addict Nathan. Even slightly after he gets his wallet back. For he didn’t just give it to him. Which wasn’t surprising or even out of character. Which with that being said nothing I suppose nothing is “out of character”, yet it’s very stereotypical at the very least. 

As they’re fighting in the middle of a very crowded, public place, everyone is just walking by and watching. No one is doing anything ,  until one guy, not a suit and tie, like a businessman in New York. Yet a suit worn as more of a fashion statement then for business. Clearly very well off. 

Not only does he try to break up the fight, in such a way that shows he doesn’t want to get involved, yet he wants to spilt them up and end the violence. After, he buys Walter a soft drink and asked if there was anything else he can get him, food wise.

We are given this character who is clearly well off, and from a more wealthy class bracket, not only trying to do something kind, but also even walks with him to a food place he likes. During their walk there is a conversation that takes place.

The Good Samaritan, Simon is talking about how people are so heartless and there is no compassion for their fellow people in need. Etc. Then Mike goes to proceed to not only rob him but beat him and steal his watch and his money. 

The film, at the first chance it gets, shows us not only a character at rock bottom. But uses that as leverage to make us feel sorrow for the character. Then throws away any shot any sympathy for this character after five minutes with the robbery and beating of the innocent man, just trying to help. Reinsuring and doubling down the stigma that is, addicts are bad people, all who do terrible, horrendous things.

Which I understand the stigma around it and the reasonings behind them. Yet the film does nothing to further his story. He at no point really tries to redeem himself. Even when there seems to be a glimmer of hope. He pisses it away.

The film give him no chance at redemption and no desire to be truly be redeemed. There is one scene in which some will try to argue is a triggering point, which lead back down the road to his downfall. Which wouldn’t be completely an inaccurate statement, but repentance is one of the 12 steps. 

Overall this movie has nothing to latch itself to you, or even give you something interesting enough to invest yourself into the characters. The film takes a big swing in which it misses. Falling short of being something more. 

Overall Rating 2/5 Stars.