Cillian Murphy’s latest film Steve is chaotic, emotional and tense. The drama is set over a single day at Stanton Wood – a boarding school for troubled teens in the mid-90s. We follow the boys and the staff at the school for just 24 hours. But it is not short of action; on this particular day a film crew arrives to include the school in a documentary and one of the boys, Shy, has just found out his family wants to cut contact, and staff are told the school is set to close.
The film, based on the best selling book Shy by Max Porter and directed by Tim Mielants (Small Things Like These), premiered at Toronto International Film Festival but was not released globally in theatres and instead released on Netflix.
Steve gripped me in a way that a straight to streaming title has not done in a long time. It revolves around headteacher Steve (Cillian Murphy) and student Shy (Jay Lycurgo) who are both struggling to stay afloat. It is powerful in focussing not only on the students but also the headteacher diminishing the idea we often have, that those above us; our teachers, our parents, know exactly what they are doing and get nothing wrong. It is extremely humanising but also frustrating as a viewer as you are urging Steve to wake up and see what he is missing.
The whole cast gives a stellar performance but Murphy and Lycurgo are the true standouts. Murphy transforms into the role of Steve as he plays the part of the burnt out but unwaveringly passionate teacher facing his own struggles with drink and substance abuse. As the film develops it is clear that he is not so different to the boys he is trying to help.
Lycurgo who plays Shy is truly phenomenal in the role, mastering the complex character of the intelligent, funny teen battling with his mental health. He delivers a beautiful and real portrayal of this and he is definitely an actor to watch.
It is an extremely heavy film centering on mental health but it is a refreshing take to see the compassion that can be had for troubled teens. Steve reinforces the idea that these establishments are essential; the boys need people on their side, fighting for them, not against them.
4/5
Image Credits – The MovieDB
