In Stephen Edward Roach’s indie true story cum social drama COOKSTER THE DARKEST DAYS based on the tough and true life exploits of Jason Cook life signs are very difficult to read for a dyslexic youth.
Jason, also known as ‘Cookster’ (Samuel Staite), is a young person who is failing in school because of his own personal problems that spill into other areas of his life. If anything, home seems to be even more disruptive: father Mick (Nick Moran) and mother Lynda (Tracy Shaw, a far cry from her time on CORONATION STREET) are constantly battling against the odds.
It’s inevitable that everyone will look for role models, be they good or bad. In this case, Jason meets peers on a green hill estate where he tries to fit into their lifestyle and world.
Through a haze of ecstasy and spliffs, Jason connects with Dani (Kaitlyn Pang) an academically bright student one year older who has greater ambitions but also sees something worth saving in him; until he’s expelled but allowed back conditionally for one or two classes.
The allure of drugs and fleetingly feeling high become stronger than the mind-altering perspectives of educated writers and adult Jason and Dani (Craige Middleburg, Elvira Devinamira) must decide if their love can survive every challenging adolescent first coupled with any attachment designed to last a lifetime.
COOKSTER THE DARKEST DAYS may take its cue from KES, THIS IS ENGLAND and TRAINSPOTTING but it’s still another well-trodden British film route made grittier by Working Title on occasions when they get down and dirty closer to home than usualy with inevitably heart-breaking results.
Here it’s gloomy due the depressing state that these characters find themselves in as an ensemble but does offer up something different given Jason‘s own dyslexic issues. Moran is good as the dad and just as strong as he was in LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS but the real standout is Tracy Shaw who gives us a blistering performance as Cook’s mother one she should be proud of.
The quartet of young leads playing young and adult Jason and Dani are solid throughout, taking us through this bleak slice of existence with levity but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impactful or watchable preaching about addiction whilst championing mental health.
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