URBAN HYMN

A SOGGILY SENTIMENTAL script cynically exploits the problems facing a couple of black care kids in Michael Caton-jones’ first feature in a decade. Initially seen looting in London during the 2011 riots, teenage orphans Jamie (Wright) and Leanne (Laughland) seem to be slipping through the cracks when bookish social worker Kate (Henderson) offers Jamie a brighter future through music. Each situation feels formulaic as Leanne and Kate fight for Jamie’s soul, while every character teeters on stereotype. The harder the leads try to make this manipulative melodrama seem sociopolitically significant, the more screenwriter Nick Moorcroft does a patronising disservice to the cause he is striving to espouse.