JIm D I gave this film 2/10 stars. I couldn't make it to the end, so I thought I should be a bit generous. I suspect that if I had watched the entire film, outrage at being so stupid to waste more of my time would have moved me to give it a lower score.I felt I was watching the results of what somebody would create if they bought the cheapest little camcorder and asked some friends to help him or her make a cheesy pseudo-documentary. It was painfully dull and tedious to watch. I kept waiting for something of substance to happen, but eventually gave up. The only thing gritty about this film is the video quality of most shots.

earwiggy-1 I'm not one for doing reviews, in fact this is my first review ever! I watched bad lad the other day for the second time, the first was a couple of years ago before it had been graded and polished, this second viewing struck a cord and so I then watched it again the same night, the reason for this was, firstly I thought it was soooo good but secondly I wanted to see if the clever script and superb directing had any flaws in it or maybe a few holes I could pick through, did it? Not as far as I could see, the story is complex in a very easy watchable way which sucks you right in and it just becomes so easy to follow. I loved the grubbiness of the film, the image has been DE-graded in parts which really adds to the gritty realism. The performances from all involved are what really stands out though, as the film was made on DV it would be easy to just dismiss the film as a cheap amateur production if you saw just a still, but let me just say that this is not the case at all, as I said before the grubbiness really adds to the realism in a way that if it had been filmed in HD it would have been too polished and so lack something in terms of realism, back to the performances, all the cast and crew which basically are the same thing in this film where utterly believable, the acting is so natural that it really helps you to be drawn into the story and watch it as if it was a real factual piece of work. I have always liked Shane Meadows films as he always has an element of real life which with his choice in unknown actors (in general) adds a sense of accessibility to his films, one thing though about Shane Meadows films is that he does tend to let his films down a little with the poor performances he gets from some of the less experienced actors and this is were Bad Lad differs, the acting is top notch, it is so good that it does not seem as though they are acting at all. I think it is unbelievable how this film has not had a huge success at the cinema, I know something about the politics involved with ultra low budget films but if Meadows can get films like 24/7 and once upon a time in the midlands released then there must be some hope for Directors like Michael Booth who with no money at all! Manages to make something which I personally think blows anything Meadows has ever made completely out of the water. Well done to all involved with the film and may I wish you all the best of luck for the future.... hip - hip - hurray

dave-1894 I saw this film in Manchester at the Deansgate cinema and I enjoyed following the fortunes of the characters in this lively portrayal of the North West's criminal underground.The film's characters were the best part of the film for me. Each character gave the film an edge which made the film addictive. From the ruthless gangsters to the lads stuck with a overdosed addict on their hands the films moves you from black comedy to quiet interest in how the criminals ordered and profited from their world.The true test of a good film is whether you could watch it twice and still be entertained and I think this film falls into this category well.An excellent film, well worth seeing.

welsharab When i say this movie changed my life i wouldn't be lying one bit. if a scene can stick in your head weeks after seeing it then your doing well. if multiple scenes still make you laugh, wince, cringe or grin to yourself weeks after seeing it, then your watching something special. This film will not be to everyones taste but then again nothing ever is, but the realism of how you follow 'Barry Lick' and his crew as they try to film a gritty, underworld documentary about Blackburn Gangsters will have you engrossed right until the multiple twist ending, which will no doubt leave you feeling angry and shocked (but I'm not saying anymore).Of all the gangster/underworld films I've ever seen i think this is the only film that now makes me not want to become a gangster or get up to no good. If your the kind of person that likes to be a bit naughty, then this film makes you feel like a naughty school child that has just been sent to the corner! The script is incredibly strong and most performances are realistic and not to melodramatic, in particular Joe O'Byrne as Tommy Morghen, Jonathan Williams as Barry Lick and Roxanne Gregory as Roxy amongst others. The locations and camera work aren't 'mega budget' but they don't have to be and shouldn't be (to an extent) as the film would lose its clout and realistic edge.It seems a shame that such a good and honest British 'No budget' film has not yet gone mainstream, i can only hope that it soon will and audiences will be able to watch a film that could and probably will give the British film industry quite a shakeup!