Uplifting movie proving that growing up, whatever culture, especially amid violence and drugs, is never easy. Too many youngsters get lost, even when given love and attention. You can only guess and hope that a few make it, and find their purpose.
18 Reviews
A moving coming of age drama
eddie_baggins24 May 2020
A quiet and contemplative coming of age story that steers clear of "big" moments, with a focus more on the intimate and every day, The Last Tree is an impressive calling card for director Shola Amoo and lead actor Samuel Adewunmi.
There are many beats of Tree that feel familiar, outsider finds themselves in new surroundings, coming of age dramas and racial prejudices are all found here and are by no means wholly unique in their existence but Amoo's carefully considered telling of Adewunmi's Femi's trials and tribulations growing up in London with his Nigerian birth mother Yinka, after a seemingly idyllic childhood in the laid back countryside, is a film that appears to come directly from the heart.
Beautifully filmed and captured, when we first meet Femi as nothing more than a carefree member of a "wolf-pack" of youngsters, roaming the farmlands of their homes and caring little about the colour of skin or cultural differences we are very much caught in the spell of Femi's life, a life that is uprooted in stark visual and vibe contrasts when he is moved to London, a city far less welcoming to the love and nurture his come accustomed to in his early years.
From here Tree takes on a more generic storytelling arc as Femi battles to keep his head in school mode, while he battles relationship issues with his mother and the lure of a life of crime with local petty criminals who promise him brotherhood and financial gain should he care to join them in their way of life.
The tropes that are covered off in this time-frame of Femi's life don't create much in the way of surprises or unexpected plot turns but despite this and the fact we aren't always allowed access into Femi's subconscious and thought processes, Amoo's film is engaging throughout, highlighted by a strong finale that doesn't provide hard answers, but displays much with merely a simple hug or letting loose of one's inner torment by an animalistic yell.
In many ways the film's final section is representative of all that has come before it, a story that never feels the need to tell us everything or showcase every beat of its characters as it goes along its way, a film content with allowing its audience to discover its debatable intricacies for themselves as we get an insight into the nature of growing up around a society that doesn't always make it easy.
Final Say -
A strong independent offering that suggests its young director and star are ones to keep a very close eye on, The Last Tree is a polished human interest drama that is worth hunting down.
3 ½ blue braids out of 5
There are many beats of Tree that feel familiar, outsider finds themselves in new surroundings, coming of age dramas and racial prejudices are all found here and are by no means wholly unique in their existence but Amoo's carefully considered telling of Adewunmi's Femi's trials and tribulations growing up in London with his Nigerian birth mother Yinka, after a seemingly idyllic childhood in the laid back countryside, is a film that appears to come directly from the heart.
Beautifully filmed and captured, when we first meet Femi as nothing more than a carefree member of a "wolf-pack" of youngsters, roaming the farmlands of their homes and caring little about the colour of skin or cultural differences we are very much caught in the spell of Femi's life, a life that is uprooted in stark visual and vibe contrasts when he is moved to London, a city far less welcoming to the love and nurture his come accustomed to in his early years.
From here Tree takes on a more generic storytelling arc as Femi battles to keep his head in school mode, while he battles relationship issues with his mother and the lure of a life of crime with local petty criminals who promise him brotherhood and financial gain should he care to join them in their way of life.
The tropes that are covered off in this time-frame of Femi's life don't create much in the way of surprises or unexpected plot turns but despite this and the fact we aren't always allowed access into Femi's subconscious and thought processes, Amoo's film is engaging throughout, highlighted by a strong finale that doesn't provide hard answers, but displays much with merely a simple hug or letting loose of one's inner torment by an animalistic yell.
In many ways the film's final section is representative of all that has come before it, a story that never feels the need to tell us everything or showcase every beat of its characters as it goes along its way, a film content with allowing its audience to discover its debatable intricacies for themselves as we get an insight into the nature of growing up around a society that doesn't always make it easy.
Final Say -
A strong independent offering that suggests its young director and star are ones to keep a very close eye on, The Last Tree is a polished human interest drama that is worth hunting down.
3 ½ blue braids out of 5
The Last Tree
jrtone-4935720 May 2020
This was such a fantastic film. The score and cinematography tied in beautifully with the story and Sam Adewunmi's acting was phenomenal. Still, the sound mixing struggled in places and some shots seemed forced in unnecessarily.
Ok film, has its moments!
o-massia13 April 2020
A promising start, good acting from most of main players however the film loses its way in the middle part. Has some good moments, I can see why most people are comparing it to Moonlight. Still a good watch but could've better.
Shaded in moonlight.
Pjtaylor-96-1380444 October 2019
'The Last Tree (2019)' is certainly coloured in shades of 'Moonlight (2017)', taking inspiration from that award-winning flick in its story, structure, aesthetic and, even, final moments. It isn't some kind of 'rip-off', though; the similarity between the two texts is, essentially, circumstantial. This piece has its own distinct identity, telling a tale that's often left untold in a relatively bold and stylistic way. Sometimes, the very 'indie' nature of the production becomes rather evident. There are some movements in which the generally good performances aren't quite as refined as usual and a few directional choices don't pay off as well as you'd expect. Still, the film is typically confident and compelling. The narrative does feel kind of 'basic', I suppose, but it also touches on some themes that are rarely touched upon at all - such as the effect, and even existence, of shadeism, for example. Occasionally, it does accidentally conflate race with class and perceived quality of life, but I suspect that writer-director Amoo is just trying to reflect the world as he sees it and he's not wrong for doing so. The protagonist's journey is believable and engaging, providing several genuinely enjoyable scenes. There are times when it evokes the kind of nostalgia that seldom fails to tug at one's heart. Of course, it has its share of nastier sequences, too. Everything is quite subtle, relying on a gritty, realist tone that makes even the mundane seem impactful. Towards the end, the movie takes a slight detour and the pacing really slows. The content of this finale is good but it just feels 'tacked on', in a way, and takes you out of the flick's flow. It's not a massive deal, though. The experience is entertaining at large and succeeds in what it's trying to do. It's not brilliant, as it never reaches the levels of impact needed to glue you to your seat, but it's good enough. It's a decent effort. 6/10
An Inventive Treatment of a Familiar Subject
keithhmessenger16 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
British-Nigerian film-maker Shola Amoo's 2019 debut feature works for me very much as a 'trinity' of film. The 'middle' (and, significantly, the longest) segment treads a very familiar path of urban gangland tribalism, as the young boy Femi, recently relocated from a leafy countryside life with his foster mother to his biological mother's inner London home, finds his maturing teenage self being caught up in the local gang culture. Bookending this familiar set-up, however, Amoo gives us a more inventive narrative, Femi's early rural existence being embraced naturally by the young, boisterous boy (given a jolt as he is translocated to Gbemisola Ikumelo's seemingly cruel and unloving mother's (Yinka) home), and Femi's search for identity culminates (at his mother's instigation) in a trip to his ancestral African home. The young man's journey has thus come full circle. Even though the bulk of writer-director Amoo's drama has been done many times before - too many to list for TV with Top Boy perhaps providing the most impressive example - the film-maker has a distinctive visual style using slo-mo, impressive use of light and dream sequences (letting us getting inside Femi's imagination). Indeed, the film's three-part structure and its visual qualities at times reminded me of Barry Jenkins' masterpiece, Moonlight (and you can't get higher praise than that!).
Amoo's cast is consistently impressive throughout. One of the film's biggest 'problems' is the casting of Sam Adewunmi (good though the actor is) as the teenage Femi (Adewunmi being around 23/24 at the time!). On the other hand, Tai Golding's depiction of the younger Femi and Ikumelo's turn as Femi's mother are particularly empathetic, whilst Nicholas Pinnock (from the aforementioned Top Boy) is also good as Femi's teacher and mentor, Mr Williams. I found that the film became increasingly engaging as it proceeded. There was the odd narrative jolt - the 'jump forward' from the infant Femi to the teenage Femi, now seemingly an established veteran of the local gang scene could perhaps have done with a more gradual transition. On the other hand, a thread which I thought was underdeveloped was that involving Femi and Ruthxjiah Bellenea's blue-haired, fellow pupil, Tope - the sequence where they share their love of music (The Cure) was, for me, the absolute highlight of the film. That said, Amoo's closing sequence was also outstanding and marks the film-maker out as one to watch.
Amoo's cast is consistently impressive throughout. One of the film's biggest 'problems' is the casting of Sam Adewunmi (good though the actor is) as the teenage Femi (Adewunmi being around 23/24 at the time!). On the other hand, Tai Golding's depiction of the younger Femi and Ikumelo's turn as Femi's mother are particularly empathetic, whilst Nicholas Pinnock (from the aforementioned Top Boy) is also good as Femi's teacher and mentor, Mr Williams. I found that the film became increasingly engaging as it proceeded. There was the odd narrative jolt - the 'jump forward' from the infant Femi to the teenage Femi, now seemingly an established veteran of the local gang scene could perhaps have done with a more gradual transition. On the other hand, a thread which I thought was underdeveloped was that involving Femi and Ruthxjiah Bellenea's blue-haired, fellow pupil, Tope - the sequence where they share their love of music (The Cure) was, for me, the absolute highlight of the film. That said, Amoo's closing sequence was also outstanding and marks the film-maker out as one to watch.
Moving
ekamanoieau19 February 2020
People have compared this to Moonlight but I thought Moonlight was a lesser version of Boyhood, The Last Tree by comparison stands alone as a more thoughtful musing on the nature of identity, the struggle with being black in Britain (in all it's shades), and the nature of manhood, masculinity, and authority.
Femi's struggle to find an identity that fits him is something that truly resonated with me and his threat to spiral into a life of violence is something all too real. I also really appreciated his visit to his homeland at the end, and a sense of connecting with something wholly alien and yet familiar at the same time. The writing was a tad spotty but the ability to engage in both timeless and timely themes, dealing with a segment of British society undervalued and underrepresented made this a truly moving picture.
Meh
muamba_eats_toast3 October 2019
The Last Tree - becoming a product of your environment
brankovranjkovic30 September 2019
Powerful coming of age drama about the early life of a Nigerian immigrant who returns to his birth mother after a childhood with a caring foster mother.
Act1. At the beginning of the film 'Femi' is a young black child to a very caring white foster mother, he seems happy and happy at school, his friends are mostly white as well. He learns that his birth mother is visiting, but we soon discover that her intension is to return to London with him.
We see that his new home is in a squalid tower block and he's struggling to fit into the environment and his new school. His 'new' mother is stern and has very little time for him. Femi resents the move, and the atmosphere between them is continuously tense.
Act2. The child is now a much older teenager, most of the film focuses on this part of his life. He's in his final year and his exams are fast approaching. He fits into the environment, he has a circle of mainly undesirable friends, and has caught the attention of the local king-pin drug dealer, who begins to groom him into his operation. Femi is struggling with what appears to be an unfamiliar black culture.
Act3. Femi visits Nigeria with his mother, his father is a wealthy pastor. He has several servants, his home is a palace. We see that he has a new family. So there is no reconciliation or reunion. Unfortunately Femi is emotionally rejected for a second time.
This has been compared with 'Moonlight', but I can't see why. The only similarity is that the plot is split into 3 acts, but that is where the likeness ends. The Last Tree is a much grittier drama with some very strong emotional performances.
Highly recommended.
Act1. At the beginning of the film 'Femi' is a young black child to a very caring white foster mother, he seems happy and happy at school, his friends are mostly white as well. He learns that his birth mother is visiting, but we soon discover that her intension is to return to London with him.
We see that his new home is in a squalid tower block and he's struggling to fit into the environment and his new school. His 'new' mother is stern and has very little time for him. Femi resents the move, and the atmosphere between them is continuously tense.
Act2. The child is now a much older teenager, most of the film focuses on this part of his life. He's in his final year and his exams are fast approaching. He fits into the environment, he has a circle of mainly undesirable friends, and has caught the attention of the local king-pin drug dealer, who begins to groom him into his operation. Femi is struggling with what appears to be an unfamiliar black culture.
Act3. Femi visits Nigeria with his mother, his father is a wealthy pastor. He has several servants, his home is a palace. We see that he has a new family. So there is no reconciliation or reunion. Unfortunately Femi is emotionally rejected for a second time.
This has been compared with 'Moonlight', but I can't see why. The only similarity is that the plot is split into 3 acts, but that is where the likeness ends. The Last Tree is a much grittier drama with some very strong emotional performances.
Highly recommended.
Overrated and over-indulgent
edfilmsuk1 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Caught this film at Sundance London 2019, as a preview. Since it's getting lauded, and will be on Netflix imminently, I thought I'd share my thoughts.
The film had some nice moments, and was on occasion quite moving. It was shot interestingly and artistically, and acted competently.
However this semi-autobiographical story from Shola Amoo sometimes dips into over-sentimental territory, feels a bit emotionally manipulative, and unfortunately comes across a bit pretentious.
You have this miserable main character who literally never smiles, and you get this moment with the teacher basically saying 'it's not your fault' - ripped straight out of Good Will Hunting. Maybe it was an intentional homage. To me it felt like stealing.
It is not the most memorable piece of cinema, and by the extended ending sequence in Nigeria, it feels over indulgent.
The film had some nice moments, and was on occasion quite moving. It was shot interestingly and artistically, and acted competently.
However this semi-autobiographical story from Shola Amoo sometimes dips into over-sentimental territory, feels a bit emotionally manipulative, and unfortunately comes across a bit pretentious.
You have this miserable main character who literally never smiles, and you get this moment with the teacher basically saying 'it's not your fault' - ripped straight out of Good Will Hunting. Maybe it was an intentional homage. To me it felt like stealing.
It is not the most memorable piece of cinema, and by the extended ending sequence in Nigeria, it feels over indulgent.
Beautiful and tender
hailewarner31 August 2019
I saw this at the SOUL film fest BFI. Its beautifully shot, and tells a unique story in a really gripping and gorgeous way. The characters are really powerful. I came away inspired. The rest of the audience seemed really moved.
Life Transforming Film
dantaylor-850938 August 2020
I watched this film by pure chance. What an absolute pleasure it was.
This film deals with issues of identity such as race, class and the British Nigerian diaspora experience. It has everything and deals with each so subtley and brilliantly.
The film deals with family, fostering, absent fathers, abusive mothers, forgiveness and understanding.
It is also about transformation and awakening, love and hate. I don't know how he fit it all in.
I am not black or diaspora but I can strongly relate to some of the main character's life experiences in a deep and meaningful way.
I'd like to thank the film makers for this brilliant movie and hope you get the success and credit you deserve.
This film deals with issues of identity such as race, class and the British Nigerian diaspora experience. It has everything and deals with each so subtley and brilliantly.
The film deals with family, fostering, absent fathers, abusive mothers, forgiveness and understanding.
It is also about transformation and awakening, love and hate. I don't know how he fit it all in.
I am not black or diaspora but I can strongly relate to some of the main character's life experiences in a deep and meaningful way.
I'd like to thank the film makers for this brilliant movie and hope you get the success and credit you deserve.
Moving interesting
reece28915 September 2020
Coming of age film yes, but with a difference
cheryldevil3 October 2020
The beginning hits you like a sledge hammer when Semi is wrenched from a childhood rural ideal into an apparent urban hell from a kind foster parent to a mother who beats him. But by the end you find yourself questioning all this and you wonder whether despite the hardship he was actually better off for it? As you learn more about the circumstances that brought him their your view transforms. I think this was brilliantly done. It is beautifully filmed and the dialogue is sparse but authentic and powerful. Great acting too.Wonderful film.
Fantastic Film
sababy-504989 October 2022
This film, told through the eyes of a black child/teen who grows up in the UK, is a gem. 1) a film exploring any subject from a non-white perspective feels relieving to say the least. 2) the way this film follows the intricacies of a single mother, but especially one from a completely different culture, really explores issues rarely touched on but common. 3) showing how Femi, the boy/teen has to delve through both cultures to gain an understanding of his mother, childhood and current self is exhilarating. The director did a fabulous job not wrapping up complex subjects in a pretty pink bow. Bravo!
Writer/director Shola Amoo offers a highly stylised but heartfelt account of Femi
babybuletgani7 December 2019
Writer/director Shola Amoo offers a highly stylised but heartfelt account of Femi (Sam Adewunmi), a young black British male who's struggling to make sense of his identity in the early noughties. We first meet our protagonist in an idyllic rural Lincolnshire, where he lives with his white foster mum - until his Nigerian birth mother (Gbemisola Ikumelo) takes him to a new home on a tough south London estate. Its strength is less in its plotting than in the expressionistic use of images and sounds to convey Femi's first-hand experiences, right through to the unexpected coda in Lagos.
A wonderful, slow burn of navigating life...
elilumwow-6601310 August 2022
Yes it's slow, in the sense of no big explosions or high drama, but it keeps it's footing and draws you into the deeper story. A story of a young boy growing into a man and the trials and tribulations he goes through to get there. He starts off in an idyllic countryside setting, lots of friends, lots of fun outdoors, a loving Mother figure helping him learn right from wrong. His birth Mother comes to visit him and tells his foster Mother that she is working hard to get a place for herself and her son. This hits the Foster Mother hard, she loves the boy she has raised thus far and his real Mother is mostly unknown to him. His Mother comes to bring him to London, into a whole new world of strange food, strange home (with extra responsibilities), and no friends. It's the story of him trying to navigate drug dealers, bullies, and bad influences to come out with his self respect intact. I loved it. It's not for everyone maybe, but it was awesome to me. Very heartfelt and uplifting. It's a hard world he is thrown into, and don't we all know it!
Amazing Emotionally Powerful Film
cgmovie856 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Just finished watching this film.
Although there have been films with similar themes, this film offered something different.
Femi left the comfort of a foster home, where he was loved and valued to go live with his biological mother who abuses and degrades him. Childhood innocence ripped apart, Femi does what many kids do, he transitions into toeing the line of violence.
This movie is an amazing coming of age story. Delaing with isolation, violence, a toxic home life, and trying to find your identity through it all and not we swallowed by temptation or hatred.
The last half hour was beautiful. Femi discovers his legacy and find truth in who he wants to be and finally understands his mother. Going home brings clarity and this movie is a beautiful representation of finding self, home, and love.
Although there have been films with similar themes, this film offered something different.
Femi left the comfort of a foster home, where he was loved and valued to go live with his biological mother who abuses and degrades him. Childhood innocence ripped apart, Femi does what many kids do, he transitions into toeing the line of violence.
This movie is an amazing coming of age story. Delaing with isolation, violence, a toxic home life, and trying to find your identity through it all and not we swallowed by temptation or hatred.
The last half hour was beautiful. Femi discovers his legacy and find truth in who he wants to be and finally understands his mother. Going home brings clarity and this movie is a beautiful representation of finding self, home, and love.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
