#sarah gavron

My brother’s keeper

Named after a protagonist known for her tough temperament, Rocks could just as easily be used to describe the material of the film itself. On one level, it’s a joyful and sometimes riotously funny look at school girl friendships, with an authenticity that will ring true to anyone raised on the culture of chicken shops and snapchat filters. Beneath this though, is a tough and yes, rocky, story about a protagonist with the weight of the world on her shoulders. 

From Sarah Gavron, Director of Brick Lane andSuffragette, this also follows a girl who is forced to take control of her life in the face of difficult circumstances. The story is refreshingly simple - after her mother suddenly leaves home, black British teenager Olushola (Bukky Bakray), known to her schoolmates as ‘Rocks’, is tasked with looking after her little brother (a terrific D’angelou Osei Kissiedu), and somehow keeping her school life from falling apart. Set over the space of a few stressful days in London, as Rocks eludes the interest of social services, Gavron is able to explore the inequalities of the British economic system, and the innocents whose lives are ultimately impacted. 

Based on a story by Theresa Ikoko, Rocks feels like a film drawn from personal experiences, so detailed and lively is its portrayal of school life in London. Much of this has to be attributed to it’s cast of newcomers, the spirited girls who act as a support network for Rocks at her time of need. It’s fair to say that most Hollywood coming of age movies lack the level of easy chemistry on display here, with Gavron clearly happy to let her cast improvise and display their vibrant characteristics and diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s a delight to watch them as they spar and share playful insults, and the film draws many laughs simply from their interactions. 

Because of how strongly each character is sketched, you truly come to care about their fate. Bukky Bakray delivers an incredible debut performance as Rocks, a resourceful teen who is forced to think fast and be a source of stability for her brother. As a character who insists on carrying the burden of her situation alone (she makes light of her mums disappearance) Bakray does an excellent job of showing the toll that this would take on a young girl, and the scenes she shares with Osei Kissiedu are tenderly played. The inner conflict within Rocks plays out best in her friendship with Sumaya (brilliantly played by Kosar Ali), the funny and supportive best friend whose attempts to help initially fall on deaf ears. 

As the situation gets increasingly difficult for Rocks to keep up with, Gavron doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of the circumstances, resulting in some truly heartbreaking moments. Yet, despite its upsetting subject matter, the prevailing feeling here is one of empathy and hope, as the power of friendship and communication is heralded as a means to overcome hardship. During current times, it’s hard to think of a more relevant message. 

Drawing heart and humour from the bleak situation of its protagonist, Rocks is a delightful and endearing tribute to female friendships, lifted by a young but highly capable cast of newcomers. 

★★★★★