Smalltime
Dir: Shane Meadows
1996
**
Smalltime represents the jump from short film making to not quite feature length film making for Shane Meadows. It's a 60 minute insight into the genius that would come, shapes and shadows of what would become a signature staple in his career are noticeable but are far from fine tuned. Its awkward comedy never really works with the series backdrop, the balance is all wrong and it looks amateurish because of it. I'm sure it was a valuable lesson learned from the then young director and it's not without its charm, something all his work has by the bucket-load. The spectacular dancing sequences are a real highlight and show that from the offset, Meadows had a certain something special to offer, although certainly not as an actor.