Wonderful character development!

Don't Believe the Hype

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Not much to say other than the fact that this film was both beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time, anybody can achieve any goal as long as they believe in themselves no matter their background.

Urban Hymn, a new film by Michael Caton-Jones, explores depths in London-based youth delinquents that are seldom discussed. Following Jamie, a troubled teenager, she has multiple run ins with the law. She bunks with other troubled kids and feels the need to cause trouble and harm for no true cause other than to live for the moment. But she meets Kate, a social worker, who challenges Jamie to transform herself and abandon her abrasive attitude and make something of herself. This is not a clean act as temptations in the form of possessive friend, Leanne, keeps Jamie in check and fears for being abandoned. Regardless, Kate is determined to show Jamie that she has true potential that can really take her to better places. It's a feel good movie that focuses on character and amazingly, these actors keep the momentum moving and the film more engrossing. It's well paced and sensitively directed. The music is enlightening and pivotal to the story. Wonderfully true to life, film lovers will discover that Urban Hymn really gives character study a good name!

Urban Hymn is the best coming of age movie I have seen in a while! The movie shows the struggles faced by a troubled teen trying to better her future. In the beginning of the film there is not much hope for foster child Jamie, until a new case worker comes along and changes everything. The case worker is played by Shirley Henderson, who also plays Moaning Myrtle. Once Kate, the case worker, gets involved with Jamie's life there are noticeable differences in her behavior. Kate introduces Jamie to a music group and ends up changing her life. My favorite part of this film was when Jamie finally stands up to her friend Leanne, who would continuously draw Jamie it to making very bad decisions. I felt that even though Leanne was a negative influence on Jamie, that she wasn't a bad person, just never learned any better. I think that this film shows the truth of what living in a foster home would be like, also the impact that social workers have on their foster children. Foster children are sometimes given up on, but Urban Hymn shows that a little support and motive great things will happen. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for a feel-good film.

Urban Hymn is as uplifting as it is breathtaking. Every second of this film is drenched with emotion, which can be attributed to the phenomenal acting of Shirley Henderson and Letitia Wright. Both women play their parts with infinite grace and realism, and breathe so much life into Kate and Jamie. Kate Linton is a social worker who dedicates her time to helping Jamie Harrison, a seemingly lost cause about to age out of a group home. Kate sees Jamie's potential and refuses to give up on her, even when Jamie gives up on herself. Ignoring the doubts of her husband and coworkers, Kate convinces Jamie to join a community choir. This small act of compassion helps Jamie blossom into a brilliant singer and gives her a way out from her tumultuous life. Music is tied in so elegantly with the plot of the film, and the scenes in which Jamie performs never feel awkward or out of place. Every character in this film has so much dimension, which makes them equally lovable and relatable. We see both the good and the bad of Jamie, yet we are able to relate with her tough life and questionable decisions. I have yet to see a film that inspires me as much as Urban Hymn has. From film buffs to music lovers, anyone can find some aspect of this masterpiece to relate to.