Leofwine_draca TREACLE JR. is an odd little independent film, filmed on the cheap in London and with an on-the-street vibe. It's a character study of two men, the principle of whom remains a mystery from beginning to end: he's a family man who one day abandons his family, flees to London, and ends up sleeping rough on the streets. He's clearly having some kind of mid life crisis, but that's about all we ever find out.The main emphasis of the film is on Aidan Gillen, who has gone on to receive fame and recognition for his role as Littlefinger in GAME OF THRONES. Gillen plays a character called Aidan (yeah, I know) who is about as far from Littlefinger as you can get: he's a man with the mind of a child, delightfully uninhibited, and taking a natural joy in the world and in his surroundings. Gillen's character is loud, brash, and invariably annoying, but nonetheless it's an acting tour-de-force and he never fails to convince in his part.The rest of the film is a mixed bag. It's plodding in places although the running time is very short. Some of it feels repetitive too. I found the main character a little annoying in the way he acts sometimes, although it's fair to say that Gillen makes the movie. There's some high drama when a third character, played by Riann Steele, gets involved in the story, which is all very good. In the end, TREACLE JR. is a slight piece of filmmaking, one which is well shot and made by people with talent, but it never lifted me the way something comparable like ADAM & PAUL lifted me.

franglaisreview This is a top UK independent film which really shows what the genre is capable of. Quality performances and an excellent script make Treacle Jr.one of the most memorable and interesting films I've seen for a good while. Its characters are good as on fire, there is an energy on the screen that leaves a knot in your stomach, an engaging sincerity that is neither overdone nor leadened over by any sort of hipster-esque apathy. This is what independent film in the UK is capable of doing, and what it should be doing. It can be proud of this kind of talent and I hope it will reflect this in its support of UK cinema in all its diversity.

dog_lover_twelve No one does slice-of-life drama and acerbic humor like the Brits, and the curiously named "Treacle Jr." showcases this, as well as some damned good acting from the cast, particularly Aidan Gillen ("Queer As Folk," "Game Of Thrones,") as Aidan (it seems kind of cheap when the screenwriters can't come up with their own names, anyone agree?"Treacle Jr., as it so happens, is a kitten, Aidan is a childlike man in an unhealthy relationship, and Tom (Tom Fisher) steps quite by accident into the situation, in the process of getting out of another.Unable to bear for another minute the responsibilities of parenthood and Family life, Tom (Fisher) walks out on his wife and baby and, after running out of cash, seeks new means of livelihood on the streets of London.Inexplicably, he is attacked and injured by a gang of thugs, and while at the police station, he meets Aidan, who is comparing the woman at the front desk's hair to an Irish Setter's in an attempt at flirtation.Aidan's the kind of guy most people stay away from. He's earnest, hyper, and completely free of any social graces. Aidan's naive and enthusiastic to a fault, but Tom soon discovers he has problems too- namely Linda (Riann Steele,) his 'girlfriend,' a volatile bag of nuts who beats on Aidan, dubs him a 'retard,' and in one painful scene, tries to rape him. She's a barrel of laughs.People who find this situation unlikely need only think again. What does society think of men who hit women? If Aidan were to so much as take a swing at Linda in self-defense, she'd need only pull a pouty face to the police and Aidan would be sent up to the big house. Maybe it's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's something to think about.The story chronicles the meeting and eventual friendship between the two men, despite Tom's initial urgent attempts to get away from Aidan, who has the boundless enthusiasm of a horny beagle. Now Aidan, he's an interesting character. Devoid of the marketability of endearing innocents like Forrest Gump, he is good-hearted but entirely oblivious to his effect on people. He was not written to be liked. I liked him.If this was to be remade in America, there would be some adjustments mad. Linda's race would be changed (she is African-American,) because a cruel black person is against the politically correct agenda we are spoonfed nowadays. The gender roles would be switched, and the movie would become a feminist power flick. But it will not be remade because it was not highly successful, and a good thing, too. "Treacle Jr." intrigues and challenges, doing what British films do the best.

moricious1 I sought Treacle Jr out at the London Film Festival, on the strength of The Low Down.What stands out is the intensity of the two lead performances. Gillen shows some very impressive range. Going 180 % from from playing the Mayor of Baltimore to a desperate and guileless character like this. While Tom Fisher plays off him very effectively as a credible and fairly sympathetic man, who is clearly out of his depth and dealing with major emotional problems of his own.The early scenes, where Tom tries to gently deflect Aiden's advances, without being unkind, came off as very well judged and authentic. Tom's growing connection to Aiden, which develops into instincts of protectiveness, was very believably handled and well paced.The film's low-key visual approach and use of gentle observational humour help carry it along smoothly. In summary, Treacle Jr is a very engaging watch if you like performance driven films.