Starred Up

David MacKenzie directs this British drama in which a troubled teenager and his father bond in the unusual surroundings of a prison. 19-year-old Eric (Jack O’Connell) has had an extremely difficult childhood. Taken into care after the death of his mother and the sentencing of his father (Ben Mendelsohn), Eric’s subsequent struggles with authority are highlighted by the fact that he has been ‘starred up’ from juvenile prison to the real thing, despite his tender years. Eric is happy with the outcome, though, as it gives him a chance to reconnect with his father and to demonstrate his toughness. However, with certain prison wardens not averse to using extreme violence to enforce order and protect others, Eric may have to tread carefully and pay attention to the calming words of his father if he is to make it out of the facility in one piece.