The Scouting Book for Boys

Gangly teen David (Turgoose) has known Emily (Grainger) forever, having grown up kicking around the same Norfolk caravan park. When the mischievous youths are threatened with separation, they cobble together a plan to make Emily ‘disappear’. David keeps quiet as his friend’s mum – Susan Lynch channelling Amy Winehouse – falls apart but his scheme is soon compromised by sexual tensions. Shocking, gritty and hormonally charged, this impressive debut feature from director Tom Harper boasts the ace cinematography of Robbie Ryan, authentic beats from Skins graduate and screenwriter Jack Thorne and two dynamo central turns. Mr. Turgoose (This is England, Somers Town) proves his worth outside Shane Meadows’ brilliant milieu; Ms. Grainger is a revelation.
Be warned: when we say shocking we mean you might want to skip lunch.