YOUNG AMERICANS

YOUNG AMERICANS (Directed by Danny Cannon. Starring Harvey Keitel, Ian Glen, Craig Kelly, Viggo Mortensen)

FOR PERSONAL reasons, I find this film almost impossible to review. I used to play football with the first time director, Danny Cannon, and believe me I wish him well. We all used to talk about making movies someday, and here he's bloody well gone and done it. So the least I can do is find something nice to say about it.

Well, for one thing, it's got nothing to do with the Kim Wilde song, which is a relief. It is strikingly shot, making the most of some dubious London locations. It has got my favourite actor in it, Harvey Keitel, even if he doesn't have much to do. The supporting cast give it their all. The plot negotiates its way through all the London gangland thriller and teenage first love clichés without a blush. The soundtrack's rather good too (composed by David Arnold, another footballing chum). Danny's off to Hollywood now, to direct the next Sylvester Stallone movie, Judge Dredd, so with any luck he's too busy to read his reviews. What can I say? The boy done good. But not that good.