User Reviews

I was riveted by Urban Hymn, a taunt and tumultuous drama that falls into the coming of age genre. Director Michael Caton Jones has created a story of resilience, redemption and reflection. His film revolves around three characters, each played with actors that give uncompromising and powerful performances. Center stage is Jamie Harrison (Letitia Wright) a lean and sinewy teenager with a chip on her shoulder and a bone to pick. She is never without her best friend Leanne Dixon (Isabella Laughland), an equally dangerous figure whose only trusted companion is Jamie. Rounding out this trio is Kate Linton (Shirley Henderson) an equally complex and intricate character. Linton is a social worker trying to cope with the loss of her son by saving Jamie through her musical talent. This film finds a delicate balance and harmony between its vivid and distinctive characters, its subtle and delicate cinematography, and its uncompromising script. Easily one of the best films I have seen this year, and a film that is a must see for those you who appreciate this caliber of artistry and emotion in movies.

This inspiring film about the journey of a troubled teen named Jamie going from nothing to having a world filled with hope and support is one that inspires all who watch. Jamie’s path to a second chance is thanks to a grieving social worker that copes by putting all her energy into her wards and paving the way through the powerful tool of music. The cohesive tone of the scripted paired with the cool tones and muted colors of the scenes enhance the emotional effect the film crew was going for. This realistic and emotional film creates an array of parallels that keeps you captivated throughout the story telling of this inspirational journey. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a deeper emotional and inspirational Coming of Age film.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

If you’ve been looking for a powerful and soulful movie of friendship, loss and love, look no further than Urban Hymn. Shirley Henderson’s character is passionate, dramatic and unflinching in her quest to help a young girl overcome her past. In this film a young girl, Jamie, follows her passion for music and turns it from a coping mechanism into a career. I recommend this powerful and engaging film for anyone who wants to be inspired and reminded of how compassion can change the lives of others.

There is a moment in Urban Hymn where Jamie sings and the entire film around her falls aways. The stage goes dark and the camera closes in on Jamie’s face and for a moment there is nothing but joy in her expression. Letitia Wright’s turn as Jamie is a breakout role, with her performance conjuring sorrow and happiness in equal measure. The excellent work of Shirley Henderson and Isabella Laughland only further propel Wright as she grapples with following her dreams or staying in the life of crime she knows. This struggle is only accentuated by the musical performances. The songs are beautifully performed and evocative of what Jamie feels. Director Michael Caton-Jones compliments the songs with gorgeous cinematography. Urban Hymn is a film that is perfectly executed at every level and it makes it an exemplary coming of age story that I highly recommend.

Michael Caton-Jones has amazed me once again! Urban Hymn has become one of my favorite coming of age movies. This film shows how much of an impact music can have on someone in need of something to believe in. I love music for any occasion and think that there is so much more to music than just a good song. To see music used as a way out of a situation like Jamie’s meant so much to me. Although this movie is fiction, I believe that there is so much that people can relate to in Urban Hymn. The relationship between Jamie and Leeann was very interesting to me. I think that even though Leeann did continue to bring Jamie down the wrong path, that she did really love her and at some points even support her dreams. There is always a time in your life that you have to remove yourself from a bad influence, making this film extremely relatable. I recommend this movie to any interested in a tear-jerking movie showing a troubled teen reach her potential. 

Urban Hymn is a new triumph from Rob Roy director Michael Caton-Jones. Instead of a sword and dagger epic, Jones crafts a modern coming of age story true to the trials of urban life in London. There’s social worker Kate who discovers a bad egg of hers, Jamie, possess a unique talent in singing. Though reluctant and held as a teenage delinquent, Kate doesn’t rest until Jamie can get past her angst and recognize her possible salvation. Jones shepherds this film with great ease and plumps it with heart and tension at it’s character driven moments that will most certainly grip any new viewer to the screen and subsequently steal away their hearts.

“Urban Hymn” is an emotional and brave independent film that explores the topics of poverty, music, and breaking free from toxic environments. It is about a troubled teen (Letitia Wright) who gets mentored by an eccentric social worker (Shirley Henderson) who persuades her to take her talents of singing and performance and seek a healthy and successful life with it. This movie actually reminded me of “8 Mile” because it shows how someone living in poverty can utilize their musical talents in order to get themselves out of the neighborhood and troubled environment that they are stuck in. It explores the ways toxic people can disable someone from reaching their full-potential and opened my eyes to how important it is to help someone in need or even being compassionate enough to try to help. Even though this film was not based on a true story, it definitely felt extremely real and made me feel empowered and inspired after it was over. I definitely recommend this film, it is absolutely worth the watch!

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]