Lad: A Yorkshire Story

I nearly cancelled Amazon Prime, not realising there wasmore to it than free delivery, which I rarely use. Thank goodness I didn't or I would have missed a beautiful, at times sometimes funny, at times heart rending little story which could only have been told in such an honest and direct way by drawing the best out of fresh actors without drama school method or affectation. One or two scenes might be hard to believe, but it's a story, not a documentary, and suspension of disbelief is one of the pleasures of a good story. It's a thoroughly enjoyable one too, with the bonus of gorgeous scenery and the feeling of being amongst real people.

A national park ranger takes into his daily working life a teenager, who has just lost his father. The ranger's kindness and quiet mentoring help the boy as he goes through a dark time, and ultimately steers him out the other side in various meaningful ways.There are no actors in this film. The cast of characters are played by people from the community who had never acted before. This is astoundingly powerful when you consider the tightness of the storytelling. The films excellence is clearly crafted by the facilitating skill of the director who used role play and workshops to devise the script and steer the actors.A filmic collision of reality and poesy. A great work of art that will stand the test of time. True, honest, raw but beautiful, just as the Dales and the people who inhabit them.

Its been a long time since we watched something with a small budget. Its been an even longer time, where we wanted to stay up and watch a film to the end in one sitting and write a review! Especially when an early start is looming the next morning. I'm no film critic. So its hard to sum-up the film I just watched in one paragraph. So bare with me.The actors/actresses were convincing but nothing special. However, they were REAL. I felt the roles they were playing meant something to them. Which meant more to me and the Mrs than a million pound paycheck actor/actress doing the same job. The camera work was great. The story was engaging throughout. It was funny, moving and deep. My personal favourite was the Ranger. A man who works in all weathers, doing so much for the place he loves. Always giving. It was only right that this film gave something back to him and his story. Bravo. I think I'll leave it there.

I loved it all. Whenever I watch a film that is family based and where a whole family can watch I always let my adult children know so they can watch it with their families. It's not often that a clean, heart warming/wrenching, sad, funny real film gets to our screens. It never once entered my head this was a 'budget' film because the filming was wonderful, the actors just great. I loved the part played by Tom's mum. She reminds me of my friend, and there is a lot to be said about the Yorkshire down to earth, kind hearted folk they are.This is the kind of film that used to be on our screens - clean, and something the whole family can watch but with a very good story line, based on real or true stories or not.Let's see more like this - please.

The appeal of this film, Lad, lies in the relatability of its characters - showcasing the reality of raw instincts, tender hearts, and the tenacity of the human spirit when nurtured with patience, grace and compassion.Weaved through its storyline are important themes about the critical role of fathers, and father figures in protecting, affirming and conferring inner strength, resilience, courage and masculinity in young boys.In our modern world, these themes are typically understated, misunderstood; sometimes even despised in growing quarters of so-called 'progressive' societies and cultures that promulgate aggressive feminism, gender androgyny, and fluid sexual identities.For this movie, expect to be drawn in, weeping, smiling; through the carefree indulgence, the ups and downs, and the breaking of innocence in this coming-of- age tale of a teen-ager through the tragedies and uncertainties of life.One is engaged in at multiple levels. Sometimes slow-moving, at times hopeful, playful and sad, there is a sense of naivity, nostalgia and authenticity that pervades the story; set against the rugged and timeless beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.Very highly recommended and I will be watching it again.

A superb film, superbly directed, the actors 'grow' and develop during the course of the film. In my book this is a classic film it's now in my top ten of film classics. In fact it's number one! I never give a 100% score, this is an exception I give it 10/10.It made me laugh it made me cry - well, it made my eyes water - a lot!The scenery is terrific, but maybe I'm a little bit biased on that one, being a Yorkshire man myself! But it isn't "in your face" it's done so beautifully subtly. Could write lots more, but don't want to create a spoiler, so watch it for yourself, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

With an excellent script and stunning settings, this shoestring-budget movie, very much in the vein of Mike Leigh, manages to take us on a journey through the highs and lows of everyday life. From the hideous pain of losing a loved one before their time, to the pure joy of little victories which, added together, form the strength to move forward, the occassional ameteurish moments can readily be forgiven when the film is taken as a whole, because it has at its heart timeless truths about who we are. A charming, heartwarming and occassionally heart breaking film made possible by people, some of whom at least, we will be seeing much more of over the years to come.