The Old Oak - 💥💥💥

Director: Ken Loach
Writer: Paul Laverty

Release Date: 29th September 2023

Hot Rating: 💥💥💥

Synopsis: Follows the lives of a small, mining town in County Durham, through ageing landlord TJ Ballantyne, as Syrian refugees arrive into the area. 

Review: The Old Oak feels like a fitting end to director Ken Loach’s iconic career. As ever, Loach elicits empathetic turns from his cast of unknown actors. The film draws clear parallels between both of the central, marginalised groups that feature in the film; both are, ultimately, abandoned by an indifferent government. Such strong performances only solidify Loach’s plea for solidarity and community, instilling a sense of bittersweet optimism rather than complete disparity. That being said, The Old Oak unfortunately brings with it many of the familiar clichés and flaws of the social realism Loach helped define. Dialogue, as one example, sways from sentimental to stilted, while the drama of the plot points can feel, at times, predictable. Crucially, The Old Oak doesn’t deliver a resounding statement in its conclusion. While Loach gives us an image of communal hope, it rings slightly hollow given the relentless adversity faced throughout the film. 

Image: YouTube