What MovieMonkeys Thought:

Set in a depressed area of Norfolk The Scouting Book For Boys looks at local kids with little in the way of distractions. Young leads Thomas Durgoose (This Is England) and Holly Grainger (Demons) put on a haunting performance as the nearest thing the UK has to trailer park trash. Emily and David have grown up with each other, but may not have grown up at the same speed, and in the same direction. This comes as a dreadful shock to David, who has not learnt how to process his feelings. The result is an ending that feels a rather brutal yet natural conclusion to this beautifully shot British film. The Baden-Powell book of the title may be a good source to learn how to survive in the wilderness but the tips have little use for youngsters who haven't learnt about emotions and how to deal with them. It's no surprise that the film was extremely well received at the London Film Festival where it premiered and earned writer Jack Thorne the Best Bristish Newcomer Award. The only downside is that somehow the second half could have been expanded slightly, with more in the way of explaining David and Emily's motivations. A sensitive, intelligent film.