uk release: 12th november, 1999
directed by: lynne ramsay
a few thoughts: i don’t think i’ve watched a film quite like ratcatcher. lynne ramsay’s debut feature film is an astonishing and powerful film about gief and depression amongst the youth. it is set in 1970s glasgow, scotland, at the time of the cleaner strike, which left the streets littered with rubbish, rats, and disease. the story is told from the lens of a young boy named james (portrayed by william eadie) who becomes increasingly distant from his family and the people around him after experiencing something tragic and traumatic. there is a lot of depth and nuance to the protagonist’s character and the way he navigates through life. in usual lynne ramsay style, there is an unshakable feeling of loss that permeates through every frame, every shot. her films usually study human relationships amidst tragic events and how people grieve and heal from the horrors of their experiences. ratcatcher, more than any other film i’ve seen her direct, captures exactly that, in a poignant, raw and chilling manner. the cinematography, the colour palettes used, the claustrophobic feeling that the film evokes throughout makes it an utterly stunning and captivating watch from start to finish. it evokes deep emotions of loneliness and isolation from the world, something that i can relate to, which is why the final scene of the film shattered me. james spent the entire film seemingly lost in his own head, trying to escape the reality that has haunted him, with no real success. which is why the small moments of happiness and freedom throughout the film are so exhilerating and profound, and why the bleakness of the ending cuts so deep. there is a stillness to quite a lot of the shots throughout the film that make it truly immersive, and complement that angsty, somber feeling that is prevalent in all of her films. but this is a true masterpiece, a raw and striking film that is just flawless from start to finish.
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