This film works as a buddy picture but also gives an insightful look at the crime and boredom driven lifestyle so inherent in British working class housing estates. All the characters exist in a world where crime and excitement feeds a void in their lives where showing love, caring or compassion is almost impossible. The character of Justin in particular is flawed and irresponsible, yet in the end lovable. it's to the film makers credit that he is able to make us care about a character who at one point sticks a gun in a 7 year old's mouth to show how big he is. The film also manages the most impossible of tasks of making the housing estate and a British summer both ' bright ' and illuminating. A major departure from the grey and downtrodden depiction of working class life so predominant in Mike Leigh's film for example. An excellent film
Review of Goodbye Charlie Bright
