England Is Mine

An uneven British film that dramatises the teenage years of The Smiths frontman Morrissey (Jack Lowden), his friendship with artist Linder Sterling (Jessica Brown Findlay) and the events that would lead him to meet future collaborator Johnny Marr. Morrissey's past has not been portrayed on film much, so it's puzzling why the film-makers should choose a relatively uneventful part of his life. More frustrating still, the unauthorised nature of the film means we hear none of the music that made Morrissey a legend, only that which inspired him. Lowden makes for an interesting portrayal of the young singer, bolstered by Findlay's likeable performance. Sadly, however, the chemistry between the two isn't delved into too deeply - the singer's sexuality and the influence of his mother Elizabeth are curiously downplayed. While it's passably interesting, England Is Mine leaves the impression that a true Morrissey biopic would have to have some input from the man himself.