The Scouting Book for Boys (2009)

Critic Reviews

• Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

  Increasingly dark and involving, this British drama tells a gripping story through the eyes of an intriguing teen

• Nigel Andrews, Financial Times

  The setting is a seaside caravan site where the acting and directing do not measure up to the script.

• Derek Malcolm, This is London

  Newcomer Tom Harper's direction manages to be both clumsy and overly stylised, while the script by Skins writer Jack Thorne is predictable.

• Josh Winning, Little White Lies

  In the end, Scouting Book is a surprise delight, flawlessly cast and nimbly weathering its complex themes.

• Damon Wise, Radio Times

  Tom Harper's feature debut is a wistful and atmospheric drama, with superb performances from Turgoose and especially Grainger.

• Alistair Harkness, Scotsman

  First-time director Tom Harper creates a suitably foreboding atmosphere, ensuring that even if the dramatic turns the film takes stretch credibility, the film feels like a sincere reflection of its protagonist's world.

• Gail Tolley, The Skinny

  Tom Harper's debut feature shows the director has an eye for a great shot -- the opening sequence where the two young actors leap across caravan tops against the setting sun is particularly memorable.

• David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]

  While the performances are passable, the plot is much less impressive as it journeys into dark and increasingly improbable waters.

• Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

  It's one of those depressing, unconsciously patronising British movies about downmarket characters in which everyone has such a low IQ that it's difficult to drum up much empathy for any of them.

• Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express

  A very promising, if depressing, first feature.

• Wendy Ide, Times [UK]

  If you are looking for a showcase of some of the best new talent in British cinema, you need look no farther than this terrific little film.

• Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

  The narrative isn't entirely convincing, but the powerful and heartfelt performances from Turgoose and Grainger are.

• Tom Huddleston, Time Out

  Harper has done enough with this striking, ambitious debut to herald the arrival of a major new filmmaking talent.

• Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph

  The nagging implausibilities of the story keep stifling its emotional potential.

• Matthew Turner, ViewLondon

  Impressively directed, sharply written British drama with terrific central performances from Thomas Turgoose and Holliday Grainger.

• Robbie Collin, News of the World

  Like a British beach sunset, it starts all romantic and retro but quickly gets dark and starts smelling a bit fishy.

• Kevin Harley, Total Film

  A promising young writer/director team show signs of strain on their feature debut, juggling too many flavours at once.

• Ben Rawson-Jones, Digital Spy

  This thoroughly engrossing tale deserves to reach an audience, as one hopes that such brave and powerful filmmaking will encourage others in the industry to invest in the unique and young home-grown talent responsible for this triumph.

Read all 18 critic reviews