Purely Belter (2000) User Reviews

Another British social drama / comedy, but a good one.

[philip_vanderveken · 8/10 · 30 June 2005]

Soccer is without any doubt the most popular sport in Europe. The supporters can be very fanatic and for some every excuse is good enough to spend a lot of money on their favorite team. But it's also in this stadiums that people from all classes come together and not everybody is able to buy a ticket week after week because they are too poor. Their love for a soccer club can sometimes get out of hand and that's where this movie has found its inspiration.

It tells the story of two young boys who live in a rough neighborhood of the industrial city of Newcastle and who want to buy season tickets for their local football team Newcastle United. But because they don't have any money they will have to try anything to find some. They try to find some scrap metal which they can sell, but will also steal, try to rob a bank and do many other illegal stuff. But their actions don't go by unnoticed and soon they are caught by the justice department. Their dream of going to the football that season is over or isn't it...

The movie makers in the UK seem to prefer socially realistic dramas over other genres of movies (although costume dramas are popular as well) and I must say that I can appreciate that. It's that feeling of realism that keeps me interested time after time and when they add some very fine humor to it like they have done in this movie, I only like it more. There are people who will say that it is hard to like little criminals like the boys in this movie, but personally I don't have any problem with it. Fact is that there are indeed still a lot of impoverished areas in the industrial cities and why should these areas or the people that live there not be shown in a movie? Is it because that only disrupts some people's image of a perfect society? I don't know, but it isn't so that the movie glorifies the actions of the boys. It actually gives some biting social commentary on the broken families where they come from, the poverty which they live in,...

Even though I'm not a soccer fan I really had a good time watching this movie. That's why I would like to say that, even when you hate the game, you can still like the movie. Watch it for the biting criticism, the fine humor, the good acting by the boys,... and you'll notice that this movie is underrated by many. I give this movie a 7.5/10.

Pure class from Mark Herman

[blessed_damosel · 8/10 · 16 November 2000]

Rougher and less stylised than Herman's previous features Brassed Off and Little Voice, Purely Belter nevertheless contains elements fast becoming his trademark. Sharp comic dialogue sugaring a pill of biting social satire; life for the post-Thatcher working class; and those little things that make life bearable, but end up cutting you off from life. In Brassed Off it was Danny and his band, in Little Voice LV and her records, and for Gerry and Sewell it's football.

Like Gerry, I am a passionate football fan who has only just been to her first match - Glentoran v. Liverpool in Belfast. A pre-season friendly, not even at Anfield. But when Robbie Fowler - my favourite player - scored, my primal yell of 'YESS!!' started at my feet and rushed through all my veins. It was wonderful. Herman captures that feeling even when the lads enter the despised ground of their enemies Sunderland.

In Brassed Off and Little Voice, Danny and LV break free of their obsessions into lives which are far from perfect, but real. But Gerry and Sewell don't. Maybe because they're so much younger: Danny can remember when the mine was thriving, LV remembers when her Dad was alive. Gerry and Sewell have only ever known this life. Only ever been waiting for Saturday to come.

Perhaps that makes this the darkest of the three films. Perhaps not. Purely Belter will thoroughly entertain you, and if you let it, it will make you really think.

Frequently funny kitchen-sinker

[thehumanduvet · 7/10 · 20 June 2001]

Typically northern movie about a couple of working-class kids having fun and getting into scrapes while trying to save up for season tickets to the Toon, this has quite a few moments of hilarity and some of moving tragedy, was eclipsed by Billy Elliot at the cinemas but deserves some attention. The two leads are pretty reasonable for child actors and the story is kinda fun too, fans of yer Full Monty, Brassed Off, Gregory's Girl type thing should probably give it a chance.

Totally recommended

[anabelat · 7/10 · 9 August 2002]

It's not everyday that a movie moves you beyond words. As a football fan myself, I totally understood how important it was for those kids to have season tickets for Newcastle United. I could totally relate to the love they had for their club and the way they wanted to be respected. After all, that was all they ever wanted: respect. How to get it? Well, those are just boys with difficult lives. Their way to get respect was unorthodox, but how can I blame them? It has some funny moments, but this is mostly a sad story. Sure, this is not a feel-good movie. But why would it be? It is much better than that. And despite all the bitterness, I was left with a smile in my face and a lonely tear in my eye: those boys were happy and I was happy with them. Maybe the direction is too much predictable (after you see one Mark Herman movie, you pretty much saw all he has to offer as a director), but it has amazing characters and unpredictably amazing acting. I just love a movie that doesn't let me be indifferent to the story and the characters. This is such a movie. Totally recommend it.

Season Ticket

[arthurcrown · 7/10 · 6 February 2019]

Mark Herman's (2000) film, drawn from Jonathan Tullock's novel 'Season Ticket', is set in Newcastle upon Tyne in the late '90s.

It weaves the tale of Gerry (Chris Beattie) and Sewell (Greg McLane) as they struggle to make sense of the deficiencies in their fractured lives and solve their insoluble problems, with football.

Within the framework of the close friendship between these two young men, we join them on a journey around Newcastle which can have only one ultimate destination - St James' Park, the home of the 'Toon', Newcastle United Football Club.

But the route is tortuous and led by the fertile imagination and determination of Gerry, Sewell and the rest of us are drawn along as we get to know the characters who populate their special world.

Gerry's semi-absent father (Tim Healy) terrorises the family between safe houses, beating his mother (Charlie Hardwick) and abusing his sister (Kerry Ann Christiansen) as he goes, while Sewell's grandfather (Roy Hudd) struggles to fill the gap left by his parents who have absconded long ago.

Yet, despite everything that confronts them, they unite together with a single, simple achievable aim in life - season tickets to watch Newcastle play.

This is a great film which - like Mark Herman's earlier films 'Brassed Off' and 'Little Voice' - contains the essential spirit of the region it reflects. What shines through is the indominatable spirit and irrepressible resilience of the young.

As the film closes a final unexpected twist places our two heroes exactly where they have wanted to be all along.

Like Herman's previous features, Purely Belter is laced with bittersweet comedy

[benwalsh29 · 29 June 2000]

"You take after your granddad. No words, just dribble and puke." A grandmother tells her teenage daughter's baby "Shearer". Mark Herman's follow-up to his excellent Brassed Off and Little Voice, is a gritty slice of contemporary Geordie life. This Four Film production introduces newcomers Chris Beattie (looks like a miniature Shearer) as Gerry and Greg McLane as unemployed Sewell. They're on a seemingly impossible mission to raise the £1000 for season tickets to see their beloved Newcastle United. While they think up increasingly outlandish money-making schemes - from selling household junk to shoplifting and the odd bit of housebreaking - real life begins to inferere. Gerry's violent and alcoholic father (Tim Healy of Auf Wiedersehn fame putting in a memorable 'orrible performance) forces his way back into his family's life. Like Herman's previous features, Purely Belter is laced with bittersweet comedy and some stunning dialogue ("No Alan [Shearer], not Celine f***ing Dion"), but it somehow lacks the emotional cohesion.

Still belter

[garethcrook · 6/10 · 27 November 2021]

I remember seeing this in the cinema. Gritty British comedy with a definite 90s atmosphere, largely perhaps down to its soundtrack of Shed Seven, The Prodigy and... Gabrielle. Sewell and Garry are two teenage Geordies, with no money and a dream of getting themselves season tickets for their beloved Newcastle United. It's a bit cheap and not very cheerful, but it's still a good laugh, with plenty of daft one liners and it's aged remarkably well. I'd forgotten how bleak it was though. Gerry (Chris Beatie) is from a broken home with an abusive absent father. Skipping school and dreaming up bonkers ways to make money. Pulling scrap out of the Tyne, shoplifting in C&A, robbing houses. He reminds me of Robert Arkins playing Jimmy Rabbitte in The Commitments, but darker. Seriously, for a comedy there's a lot of harsh realities here. The pair keep getting knocked down, literally on some occasions, but there's more than enough heart to lift it up and it really lives up to its title.

Partly Belter

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 5 September 2004]

Mark Herman's 'Brassed Off' was a winning mixture of sentimental comedy and authentic anger; while 'Little Voice' was a bizarre, original and at times surreal comedy that defied genre. 'Purely Belter', his third film, sadly can't live up to its predecessors. A story of life at the lowest end of Newscastle's social scale, its two central characters, a pair of young thieves, are presented as wholly likable idiots who wouldn't hurt a fly; this is offset by the ever present possibility of the whole film collapsing into unbearably mawkish tragedy. Herman's previous films had a key musical element; this one doesn't, and it's a shame that into this vacuum he has put a bland and irrelevant mix of contemporary pop music. Moreover the stars have disappeared: while his first two films featured Ewan MacGregor, the biggest star in this one is a footballer not an actor!

What saves 'Purely Belter' is Herman's undiminished gift for comedy, whether silly or black: the film makes you laugh, and the monstrous scene where the boys father sings karoake is both chilling and hysterical. Overall, however, the mixture of realism and fairytale jars more often then it gels. Try watching Shane Meadows' underrated classic 'A Room for Romeo Brass' instead, which works similar themes with more believability, subtlety and power.

Excellent

[oarch · 9/10 · 13 November 2000]

I saw this movie on a sort-of premiere thinking "this must be a crap flick", I didn't even know what the title means. But it actually turned out to be enjoyable, funny and heartbreaking little movie. All the performances were excellent, the script is good and the atmosphere is perfect for a British low class setting. If you have a chance, see it.

good actors, stereotypical acting

[lifeonloop-2 · 6/10 · 2 November 2001]

****possible spoilers****

Coming from the area and being a lifelong Newcastle United fan i was keen to see this film and how the area would be portrayed.

Of course, as in Billy Elliot the young stars come from broken poverty stricken homes with violent fathers- is this some sort of patern here? If a British film wants an upmarket feel, it`s London and the south east. If it wants poverty and gritty realism, they come north. Although based on a little known novel "the season ticket" much of it was changed to further stereotype the area. I dont go along with " but it puts Newcastle on the map" brigade- yes it puts it on the map but the wrong map as far as i`m concerned. Newcastle has so much more to offer than what is seen here- apart from the best football club in the world. Rant over, what about the film ?

It concerns the story of two young tearaways desperate to raise £1000 for a pair of season ticket for Newcastle United FC, and the lengths they go to get it. Along the way they encounter well meaning social workers, drunken violent fathers, sadistic teachers, runaway sisters ,fall in love and meet Englands best centre forward over the past 10 years in Alan Shearer.

While the two young leads give first rate performances, the story itself is a little hard to believe. Firstly most young kids in the the two leads predicament would have better things to spend £1000 on, especially if they were into thieving and drugs as portrayed here- you never really see these kind of people at the games as they have been priced out of the market( although not to the extent of £500 a season ticket- when the film was made my ticket cost £360). And with the skills these two show( come off it i doubt a Jaguar XK8 is that easy to nick) it would not have taken them more than a week to raise the cash.

There is also a goof at the end of the film - There are no tall residential buildings near the ground and the tower blocks behind the Gallowgate end of the ground have been superimposed onto the film. The tower blocks in Question are actually over a mile away, much further west and the ground is uphill from their position- making viewing impossible. Since the ground was redeveloped it is impossible to see the pitch from ANY nearby building.

Basically dishonest

[SMkShlds · 2/10 · 31 July 2006]

Contrary to most of the comments in this section, I have to say this film just barely escapes the definition 'rubbish!'. The only readers who seem to be aware of what a catalogue of clichés it is are those who, like me, live in the north-east and know at first hand what the area is like. I am totally sick of films that are supposed to be 'realistic', yet portray the working class (of wherever) as stupid, criminal low-lifes, but then excuse them because of their social background. And funny? I smiled briefly twice and laughed once, but that was at the incongruity of two boy actors with Sunderland accents supposedly trying to hide their Newcastle accents from Sunderland football fans! There was only one likable character in the whole film, and that was the senile grandfather played quietly but very competently by Roy Hudd -- the only non-Geordie in the cast.

As for the writing -- well, I just wonder what university sociology department the author studied at. He certainly had no ear for the local accent. And I too have never heard the expression 'Purely Belter' -- and not only am I a native, I'm a linguist who's written articles on the local dialect.

Don't waste your time and eyesight on this garbage. It isn't funny, it isn't realistic, it isn't entertaining, and it is fundamentally dishonest.

Season Ticket

[john-3109 · 10/10 · 11 November 2006]

Mark Herman's (2000) film, drawn from Jonathan Tullock's novel 'Season Ticket', is set in Newcastle upon Tyne in the late '90s.

It weaves the tale of Gerry (Chris Beattie) and Sewell (Greg McLane) as they struggle to make sense of the deficiencies in their fractured lives and solve their insoluble problems, with football.

Within the framework of the close friendship between these two young men, we join them on a journey around Newcastle which can have only one ultimate destination - St James' Park, the home of the 'Toon', Newcastle United Football Club.

But the route is tortuous and led by the fertile imagination and determination of Gerry, Sewell and the rest of us are drawn along as we get to know the characters who populate their special world.

Gerry's semi-absent father (Tim Healy) terrorises the family between safe houses, beating his mother (Charlie Hardwick) and abusing his sister (Kerry Ann Christiansen) as he goes, while Sewell's grandfather (Roy Hudd) struggles to fill the gap left by his parents who have absconded long ago.

Yet, despite everything that confronts them, they unite together with a single, simple achievable aim in life - season tickets to watch Newcastle play.

This is a great film which - like Mark Herman's earlier films 'Brassed Off' and 'Little Voice' - contains the essential spirit of the region it reflects. What shines through is the indominatable spirit and irrepressible resilience of the young.

As the film closes a final unexpected twist places our two heroes exactly where they have wanted to be all along.

Not sure

[trevor.hickman · 7/10 · 6 June 2002]

I really enjoyed this movie. However a slight word of caution was that the box referred to it as a "feelgood" movie, and apart from the very occasional funny line, it was basically a hard and depressing two hours. Maybe not as grim as Boys from the Blackstuff, but certainly not "feelgood".

The two actors were excellent, and the film carried undertones of Kez. I found myself crying midway through, not at all "feelgood". Watch this film if your feeling happy, and want to be brought down to earth. If you want a good footy film of similar ilk, watch Jimmy Grimble, again set in the North (Manchester), and admittedly a bit comic book (Billy's Boots) but far more fun.

Sending out an odd message

[emmawrighttome · 5/10 · 25 October 2009]

I watched this for the first time today 10 years after the film was made, but apart from the fashions and smoking in pubs, this storyline could still apply today.

I am a fan of "northern" films, and have enjoyed Herman's previous work, however this one seemed to lack the spark that made Brassed Off and Little Voice great. I think this is mainly due to the fact that the young characters in the film are played by pretty inexperienced actors, and it often seems as though they are reciting the script. Tim Healy's scenes as the aggressive father jump out because his rich experience as an actor create a believable, intimidating, 3D character. Although the two lads are likable they will never stick in anyone's memory for their performances.

I was also a little concerned about the film's message. By the end the character's situations haven't really changed, as their plans to raise the cash have failed. Because of this, the boys seem to think that they will be destined to a life without stimulation or direction, and that because they were born into poverty that they will have to stay there.

But there is a simple way out of that kind of life - go to school or get a job! The film makes out that society won't support them, but if they got qualifications or earnt so money by doing a good day's hard work they would have 100 times more opportunities. I don't think the boys' attitudes at the end of the film were justified, because there are so many other ways out of that social situation, but they just can't be bothered to do that.

But on the positive it was great to see some old faces from Byker Grove! Overall not bad, but not amazing either

British Films Rule!

[guyr-edema · 10/10 · 30 January 2007]

I cannot understand the numptees that have given a low rating to this film - it's quite simply British film making at its best.

What really enhances this for me is the films raw honesty. There's no frills to this and it pictures lower class British life as it is - with a touch of humour too! The cast are (to me) unknown and Chris Beattie who plays the lead role is a cracking actor with a big future I hope.

A movie debut by Geordie legend, Alan Shearer, does not impact on tghe plot line or the viewer enjoyment either.

This is never going to be the best film you ever watch, but I emplore you to obtain a copy and enjoy what I think's a fantastic film!

Cheers, GE

Rather Grim And Lacking In Charm

[Theo Robertson · 4/10 · 4 September 2004]

After seeing PURELY BELTER I came onto this site to review it , but not only that I also had to check out the resume of the screenwriter / director Mark Herman . As soon as his name appeared on the opening credits I knew that I had seen his name before somewhere and after checking I found out he wrote and directed the film version of LITTLE VOICE one of the most underrated feelgood British movies of the 1990s

PURELY BELTER is an entirely different kettle of fish . It's a grim stereotypical view of Geordie life and a very unfunny one at that . Everyone is either a wife beater , a single mother , a shoplifter , a drunk or a junkie . Since many scenes are set in a school the PE teacher is a sadistic bully and that's the closest the film ever gets to reality . Oh and everyone is very foul mouthed which adds to the grim unlikable atmosphere

I didn't like PURELY BELTER much while I watched and now that I know who Mark Herman is I like it even less . With LITTLE VOICE Herman proved you can make an amusing uplifting comedy featuring northern souls but I had to ask where his undoubted talent went in this movie ?

Only British blokes can make this kind of movies

[erwan_ticheler · 8/10 · 31 May 2004]

Possible Spoilers:

Knowing the history of showing social problems on celluloid in Britain and really loving it,like Ken Loach movies and "Trainspotting"(one of my favorite movies ever made,if not my favorite:A definite Masterpiece),I thought by myself:hmm,this could be a very good movie.And it was!

The acting by the young actors Chris Beattie and McLane is really powerful and convincing and the supporting roles are also of very high quality.A fan of Inspector Morse(that I am)saw instantly the presence of Kevin Whately(a real Newcastle Man),the underestimated actor who plays Lewis in the series.

Although the story is very good and the ending is very uplifting yet surprising,the emphasis lies highly on the performances by the cast,which is typical for these kind of movies.

A small movie that has got some similarities with "Trainspotting" for instance the use of music and the great Northern accent of Newcastle,that is similar to the Scottish accent.The presence of some Newcastle United players like the star Alan Shearer and the lively rivalry between Sunderland and Newcastle makes it very realistic but probably not for Americans.This is a European movie though,so tough luck!

9/10

Purely Dreadful

[tonygillan · 1/10 · 26 August 2003]

I think we are supposed to think what wonderful salt-of-the-earth characters. Unfortunately, this is lame and laboured.

As always with any production set in Newcastle, there are numerous shots of the Tyne Bridge and frequent attempts to show what great 'characters' Geordies are. The viewer is never allowed to forget where the film is set, as though the rest of the world cared about Newcastle and its inhabitants.

If you like well observed, literate and original work stay well clear.

Ultimately a feel good movie full of kind black humour

[gdpr2 · 8/10 · 6 July 2006]

Our odd little "heros" don't want much. And they don't expect much. But it seems that even that little bit is more than they are going to get in life. Their bleak environment conspires against them at every turn. How nice than that along the way of pushing the proverbial uphill, their innocent simple kindness manages to let a little light into the life of some of the more sympathetic of their fellow sufferers who are also up against it.

There are exquisite, bleakly funny, little twists and turns, there is (pitch) black humour embedded in what are profoundly tragic circumstances. It meanders desperately and seemingly endlessly but just as one is about to murder the author for cruelty above and beyond what's acceptable even to fictional characters, some loose ends come together for those who don't blink at the crucial moment.

Everyone I saw walking out of the cinema was smiling, and that memory has stayed with me for the several years between now and then.

Funny enough but hardly outstanding

[Chris_Docker · 5/10 · 5 November 2000]

Another English comedy set in a deprived area (this time Newcastle) from the director of Little Voice and Brassed Off. The plot follows two teenagers as they try to raise enough money for two season tickets for their favourite football club - by legal or illegal means. One of them is relatively bright, although illiterate, and the other hopelessly thick. The film is funny and hits a few original notes, and the ending is quite neat (however unrealistic) but the acting lacks conviction and the movie has none of the integrity of, say The Mighty, nor the charm of the more accomplished (if also more formulaic) Billy Elliot. It really does seem that Mark Herman can only write and direct one kind of movie. The thing about the movie that moved me most was not anything about the story itself, but rather that it reminds the audience that there are thousands of children in such sad circumstances and worse - a sad reflection on us as a nation.

Great Film

[chelseababe1234 · 10/10 · 21 June 2005]

As i am from Newcastle i think that this Geordie based film is great. The acting in it may not be excellent but the story line and the comedy are brilliant. You do not have to be young to enjoy this film it is great for any one wanting to watch a funny and true to life film. It is about two young lads that want to get season tickets for their local football team(Newcastle United). If you don't like football don't let this put you off watching the film as i guarantee that you will still enjoy it. These are two lads who are growing up in a rough estate and having to deal with problems such as drugs, although you want to hate these lads for the things they get up to, you fall in love with them! A fabulous film.

mediocre at best

[LunarPoise · 3/10 · 10 January 2010]

Herman has made northern drama his own with Little Voice and Brassed Off, but the formula falters in this ropey, flat and contrived tale of two teenage delinquents trying to get season tickets to see Newcastle.

Truancy, underage smoking and drinking, underage sex, teenage abortion, school bullying, drug abuse, substance abuse, depression, child violence, child sex abuse, shoplifting, housebreaking, auto theft, violent assault and armed robbery all put in an appearance here. None of these issues are explored, they merely serve to move the story along from one implausible situation to another. The film is not as acutely observed as Trainspotting, as poignant as The Full Monty, or as reflective of the times as Wonderland (from which it shamelessly steals music in an overly-manipulative manner). I suspect none of the filmmakers are from Newcastle, and have certainly never experienced the social problems the film references. I am all for entertainment, and Herman's track record shows he is aware of the need to balance the social message with laughs and tears. Quite simply, he comes up incredibly short here.

The film has a nice ending, but there are far too many flat, banal moments to sit through to get there. Nicely shot, not very well acted, and ultimately fails on three crucial points: script, script, script.

We laughed and laughed and laughed.

[mickey dripping · 9/10 · 7 May 2001]

This film was fun. Not magical. Not wonderful. Just all out fun. The tale is feasible and true to life. What makes the comedy so special is that it depicts that rare quality of people being able to laugh at themselves. The people in the film don't take life too seriously. Neither should you when you watch this movie. Just enjoy it and laugh and laugh and laugh like we did.

Average

[gavintrotter · 3/10 · 23 May 2020]

Someone said they laughed and laughed and laughed and my question is at what!!! I managed a few chuckles of what was a depressing movie about a couple of naughty kids who get up to shoplifting and breaking into people's houses to raise money to watch Newcastle! Hilarious.....not!

Classic

[kieranchalkley · 10/10 · 6 August 2018]

Wonderful film, a real great watch for all the family