steve...

I went along to the Watershed this afternoon to see Tim Mielants’s film ‘Steve’, starring the wonderful Cillian Murphy as the frazzled head of a reform school for delinquent, damaged teenage boys. The film, adapted by Max Porter from his 2023 novel ‘Shy’, is set over 24 hours at the school in the 1990s residential reform school.
It’s a devastating dual portrait of embattled headmaster Steve (Murphy) and troubled student Shy (brilliantly played by Jay Lycurgo); both are grappling with their own demons: for Steve, substance abuse and addiction; for vulnerable Shy, all-consuming depression (plus his mother and stepfather decide to cut all contact with him).
This particular day is even more complicated by the fact that there’s a film crew on site (shooting a ‘local interest segment’ for local evening news programme) and, if that wasn’t enough, the local, pompous Tory MP has decided to visit for a photo opportunity. As you might imagine, the behaviour in the classroom is even harder to contain than normal. Oh, and on top of that, Steve receives news that the Local Authority has sold the building for a housing development, so the school will have to close within a matter of a few months!
It’s a gripping, unsettling, shocking and exhausting film (Wendy Ide in ‘The Observer’ describes it as “a nerve-shredding portrait of troubled souls”).
Both the language and action is frequently violent and confrontational… and the acting is absolutely first-rate. In addition to Murphy (who is just brilliant) and Lycurgo, there are impressive performances by Tracey Ullman (deputy head), rapper Little Simz (teacher) and Emily Watson (school therapist)… plus all the boys.
I felt utterly drained by the end - lots of tough stuff, but also strangely and powerfully uplifting. A truly exceptional film.
Note: I’d previously read Porter’s book ‘Shy’ (which I regarded as “very special”)… and our Storysmith bookgroup were honoured by his presence at one of our sessions (I KNOW!)(he was very impressive and a very nice man) when we discussed his book ‘Lanny’. I chatted to him for a time and, instead of signing my copy of his book, he drew me an amazing image of a tree. A real collector’s piece!