Film - Rocks

It is fantastic to see a British coming of age film. Rocks is a story about teenage friendship, loyalty and adversity.

When her Mum disappears unable to cope with the single parenthood of her two children,  Rocks knows that they can be taken into care if anyone finds out. While desperately needing her mum, she protects her little brother the best she can, sacrificing her education and risking her friendships to stay under the radar.

It’s heartbreaking to see Rocks walking around the streets at dusk dragging her little brother and belongings while working out how to keep them both safe and avoid detection. Rocks should be giggling with her friends or experimenting with makeup - she picks up some cash as a makeup artist but she’s fully aware of her responsibility. 

Brown and black girls do seem to grow up faster having being given responsibility from an earlier age. The fact that Rocks knew what to do indicates her mum has disappeared before. However, it was lovely to see her let her guard down and becomes a young teen again for a short while. Despite the despair, there is joy in this film. A see of brown and black faces turn up in support and I route for all of them while wondering how many of these characters have been in classes I have walked into as a trainer in education.

Rocks feels more like a documentary and I wondered how many of the cast were actors as it seemed so real. A read of this Empire article revealed what I suspected

Hopeful rather than kitchen sink dramas from my childhood, I read the lead actor reminded the writer of her protective, older sister who ‘smiles like she’s never had a problem in her life.’

8/10