Blue Story (2019)

 

Blue Story is a semi-autobiographical film from the rapper-musician Rapman, revolving around the friendship of Marco (Michael Ward – Top Boy) & Timmy (Stephen Odubola) as they become embroiled in the notorious post code wars within the London boroughs. This coming-of-age story, intersected with musical verses from the director himself, provides a devastating distillation for the ongoing gang violence within England’s capital. Marco & Timmy serve as the typical alpha-beta in their friendship of group four including Hakeem (Kadeem Ramsay – Top Boy) & Dwayne (Rohan Nedd) as they make their way through school, speaking with girls & playing football, amidst the backdrop of a rivalling feud between two gangs from Peckham & Deptford. 

 

The story acts as a spine-chilling window into a world where young men are caught in an existential cycle of death, hyper-masculinity & violence. Blue Story does not shy away from the violence or glorify it in any way, instead it portrays fights, violence & death as it is – very organically and matter of fact. It intercedes our protagonists at every turn. That low level feeling of dread pervades the narrative, any moment or wrong decision could be our characters’ last. 

 

Yet with that in mind, the film moulds this insecurity & intensity around incredibly likeable & relatable characters, from Timmy’s indecisiveness over speaking with his school crush Leah (Karla-Simone Spence) to Marco wanting to connect closer with his older brother Switcher (who is revealed to be the leader of the Peckham gang). The performances of Ward & Odubola as Marco & Timmy are what holds this picture together so well. Their chemistry is undeniable and as the plot unfolds it becomes gut wrenching as they drift apart due to the overarching theme of being defined & divided over where you are from. The merciless look into an environment where young men are corrupted to lay their life on the line for seemingly nothing tangible, all the while fronting a look of unbreakable strength as they internalise the tragedies of losing friends and loved ones. 

 

It is a story we have seen before but Rapman presents Blue Story with a level of personal care that elevates the story to a level of riveting excellence. An engaging tale of friendship & rivalry infecting all those around them in what is a never-ending chain of an eye for an eye.