Common People (I) (2013) User Reviews

Breath of fresh air in South London

[christof-709-40836 · 9/10 · 11 June 2013]

What's surprising about this movie is how rapidly you begin to care about all the characters in this neatly woven tapestry of visitors to a London Common, viewed by us the film watchers, and by an escaped parrot!

Without giving too much of the multi-faceted plot away, the film concerns a series of regulars initially going about their daily lives, and then observes them get involved with each other with some surprising consequences...

Unrequited love, long term relationships, a few cheeky themes, a bunch of life-saving cub scouts and the life of the homeless rather all miraculously build up to a sweet and sad resolution, while looking most pretty and causing a few tears and laughs along the way.

Life affirming and recommended.

Saw it this evening - excellent!

[alanheather-mitchell · 10/10 · 6 February 2014]

Wasn't sure what to expect, but very pleasantly surprised. Although shot entirely in our locality, it has resonance for any people, anywhere. A simple plot-line but with many twists and a few surprises. We were pleased to see the inclusiveness of different races, gender, ages,religions and social classes. There was a deft use of humour in the way all these facets of life were interwoven and it even managed to stay the right side of political correctness without being bland. Both myself and my wife were very impressed by how it all came together it all came together towards the end, and not unemotional either!! Well done - a great film on a small budget.

Maybe It's Because I'm a Londoner

[aileenpofarrell · 8/10 · 1 February 2014]

Saw a screening of this charming movie at Clapham Picture House this week. A series of vignettes of the lives of Londoners unfold and intertwine. The stories are believable, funny and poignant.

Beautifully shot entirely on Tooting Common in the days when the sun still shone, it captures the great variety of South London. I live next to the common yet still saw a different aspect of it as we literally get a birds eye view of it in the opening moments. The characters are from all races, ages and backgrounds. Touching without being too sentimental it left me with both a smile and a tear.

It would be great for this movie to get a wider release and it is a testament to what can be achieved on a limited budget. The production values are high and a fine cast of actors bring the stories to life.

I believe this movie has already won awards and deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

Top marks for a top team.

[amy-622 · 9/10 · 12 June 2013]

I was lucky enough to see Common People at a private screening.

It's touching, heart-warming, and hilarious.

The performances both from seasoned actors and those new to the craft are wonderful.

This production is beautifully written and perfectly executed.

I don't want to say too much because there are some lovely twists and turns.

The film has already won an award, I think it's the first of many for this talented team.

I hope it goes on general release so that I can take more people to see it.

If you get a chance to see it ... take it.

Engaging and emotional

[annie-page-24-154771 · 9/10 · 11 June 2014]

Beautiful and engaging, this film was my first experience of a non-Hollywood feature film. Once I got used to the "rawness" that this brings I was totally captivated and drawn in. Some of the stories had slightly implausible endings but they were the ones I would have wanted to write myself! The romance, drama, tragedy and humour woven in to the plot kept me going right until the end when it seemed to be almost a fairytale. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a breath of fresh air at the cinema. It captures the essence of London and its many commons with intense detail and characters that can seem fairly straightforward on the surface but have much to tell us about themselves and our attitudes. Hope to see more by the same team before long!

A micro budget film with a massive heart.

[julie-mellor · 10/10 · 24 January 2014]

This is a little gem of a film which celebrates the diverse people in London (and the UK) which make up our communities today.

It weaves through the lives and experiences of a number of characters. Seeing the light, bright side to life as well as the challenges and heart break too.

Filmed entirely on Tooting Common, the film follows the cheeky escape artist Princess Parroty, who elopes to the lush green space in the midst of the hustle and bustle of London. As she explores her new home we get a birds eye view of the regulars who come to the common and we are able to share in their lives.

I was absorbed into the film very quickly, and really cared about what was going to happen to the people in each individual story. The stories, although separate, find themselves connecting together in touching and often humorous ways.

The fact that Common People was filmed on a micro budget during the wettest April on record, adds extra magic when watching it. The film oozes warmth and joy and is a true nod to all that's good about London.

The best things in life are free.

[emilyfoy · 10/10 · 30 January 2014]

A reminder that you don't need big budgets, special effects and Oscars to have a truly fabulous film.

Funny, silly, and touching in equal measure this is one of those films where you just don't know why you like it, but you do.

The characters are plausible and likable, the story lines veer from the ridiculous to the heart wrenchingly plausible and the simplicity allows the focus to remain on the hub of the plot, the inter relationship of normal people, warts and all. It isn't always pretty, it isn't always kind but it is unavoidably real. Its life.

A film that you leave feeling content and happy, proud to be not just a Tootonian, not just a Londoner, but a human being.

A triumph.

Charming, funny movie for lovers of city and park life

[grahamhi · 10/10 · 21 October 2015]

'Common People' is an ensemble movie about a group of everyday Londoners whose lives intertwine in a south London park. It's got some of the feel of Eric Rohmer, being largely character based, but it also has the canny Richard Curtis knack of tapping into universal themes of love, belonging and shared common experience. I think the filmmakers really pull off something unique. It feels like they made a movie about something they genuinely cared about and the resulting film is full of charm, funny, heart-warming, optimistic - I can see why it was so popular with audiences. It celebrates something we all aspire to - to get along together, and appeals to our better nature, which I think is something to be applauded in the often cynical world we live in today. They definitely captured something authentic and genuine about what it's like to live in London today.

A movie that ticks all the boxes!

[stax133 · 10/10 · 25 January 2014]

I saw this film recently and was instantly drawn in to each of the stories. The characters are real and compelling. I lived near a London common for many years and the film brought back so many memories of exploring the common, and reminded me what an amazing place it is! Discovering the history of the film, through TV and radio interviews, I was impressed by the passion of these independent filmmakers and heartened by the response and support of the public. I hope this film will receive a wider audience than London because everyone deserves to share this charming story. Go and see it for an uplifting experience and to show your support for independent British filmmaking!

Local story with universal themes-take your hankies!

[philip-388 · 10/10 · 19 January 2014]

Saw the London première at Clapham this afternoon. Excellent script, great performances across the board and engaging from beginning to end. There isn't a duff moment or naff line to be heard. Brilliant score and Tooting Common has never looked so beautiful and diverse. It's a great condemnation of film business that movies like this have to fight so hard to get a look in. Hoping it goes onto bigger and better things. I'm biased, living just round the corner from Tooting Common but it's could be any Common, anywhere in the world - well south west London at any rate. And you will get through the tissues as well-I did-take your man- size. The characters are quirky, eccentric but always the right side of believable and nowhere patronised or looked down at.

A film for people watchers everywhere

[simmansmaria · 9/10 · 14 February 2014]

Shot entirely on one South London Common,this film celebrates the diversity of "ordinary" people in an "ordinary" location.Stories expected and startling,brought to the screen by some beautifully crafted and often understated performances.You may never look at a park bench in quite the same way again....

When I booked my ticket to see the film at Clapham Picture House and realised it was 90 minutes long,I did wonder if there might be some boring bits.Not the case as the action is perfectly measured and moves around the Common.Judging from the reactions around me,it was great to recognise favourite spots too! Go while you can,I am planning a second visit.Stay if you can for the Q & A session for more insight on the making of this great film.

Common People

[clarinya · 9/10 · 9 February 2014]

This is a touching, realistic and funny film. It is an independent movie filmed exclusively on Tooting Common. It is an insight into life on the common and the lives and challenges of its regular visitors. The characters balance the light and tragedy of everyday life in equal measures. The stories thread together well although some are more memorable than others. The story of the an elderly couple was, for me, particularly emotive.

This film made me laugh and shed a few tears - what more can you ask? It really touched my heart.

My real hope is that this sweet film receives a wider audience than it's immediate filming location of South West London. It is a big little movie!

Great British Indie Movie!

[alangeorgejames12 · 8/10 · 15 February 2014]

I saw this film at the Clapham Picturehouse and am so glad I did.

It's a very real, warm, funny, moving and at times bonkers movie. All in all the kind of film that British indies do best.

I'm based in London so I did feel a sense of pride in seeing London and Londoners represented this way in a film, but I think the characters and their stories would translate to anyone from anywhere right now. These are ordinary people facing extraordinary moments in their lives and it was great to follow them all on their journey.

The characters are also so diverse in their ages and backgrounds that I think this film holds something for everyone to relate to, oh and I should also say that the ensemble of actors in this film do a fantastic job. The performances really are top notch, even from the parrot (!) and dogs (bonkers!) I won't say any more, you need to see it for yourself!

To the visuals- The Common it's filmed on looks gorgeous, it's really nicely shot and you feel like you are really 'in there' with the characters, a privileged voyeur, much like the parrot.

Yes, this film does have it's faults, but all in all I'd totally recommend it if you're in the mood for an uplifting film with real heart.

A sweet and funny film about life on an SW London common

[theleavers · 9/10 · 16 February 2014]

You can tell that this film was made on a small budget but it's nonetheless clever and affecting. It interweaves a number of stories on Tooting Common, a green open space with walkers, children, dogs, drinkers, homeless people, all sorts. One strand involves an escaped parrot; another features a very pregnant woman who eventually gives birth on the common and has to be helped by a scout master and a bunch or fascinated and repelled scouts; a third concerns an old couple, still in love but thinking about the end - the woman suggests buying mobility scooters and doing a Thelma and Louise off Beachy Head! It's not twee at all, it's quite upfront. I really admired what the two directors managed without much money - it's a sweet and inspiring effort.

Feel good family values movie

[anna-54924 · 9/10 · 13 March 2015]

I saw this film at my local cinema because one or two of our neighbors were in the supporting cast. I went to see this without too many expectations to support a locally made low budget film. I was so pleasantly surprised, the inventive way the locations were used. The art of bringing together a fantastic mixture of professional and non professional actors. The heartstrings were pulled a good deal. My family also laughed a lot. If you are interested in film give it a go. If you want to see something a little different and get a genuine insight into how well an urban green space in South London can be utilised to project a powerful message and enjoy some great performances, then rent or buy this little beauty. A rare treat.

Tooting Bec Common starring on the big screen

[gerrykerins891 · 8/10 · 23 March 2014]

Uplifting and heartwarming story well scripted and a wonderful way to bring the real star of the show, Tooting Bec Common, to the big screen with it's variety of people, characters, social situations, wildlife, trees and general ecology. I have some history on this common having used it as a playground and discovery centre for my children as they grew up and the blend of stories is truly representative of the pattern of life it carries every day. I loved trying to figure out the scene locations, but that's an indulgence for locals. The social documentary also stands out in it's own right. Well done and to the cast and crew for bringing such an adventurous and brave production to fruition.

A delightful film about people in open green spaces

[gilliansandham · 9/10 · 17 February 2014]

Although it is fun to see a film made in our locality, the real pleasure of the film was the skillful interweaving of stories of ordinary, but exceptional, people who were using the Common. All of these stories stirred the emotions, were thought provoking, and were told in a concise and uplifting manner. The film was made on Tooting Common but the characters could be found around the world in any public green space - so the title Common People has a double meaning, and strikes a universal chord. We owe it to such talented ( and local ) film makers to offer whatever support we can to spread the word and give the film the audience it deserves.