Urban Hymn

As a huge lover of soul music, I was head over heels when I heard that Urban Hymn was coming out. To top it off, Shirley Henderson is phenomenal in every film she has ever starred in (including Harry Potter)! Once I finally watched it, Urban Hymn became one of my all time favorite coming of age movies. Letitia Wright not only brings so much authenticity to her portrayal of Jamie, but she also has a singing voice that moved me to tears more than once while watching. Jamie is flawed and makes mistakes throughout the film, which makes her such a relatable protagonist. She inspires the audience with her journey from a group home to a renowned music school, with the help of her social worker Kate (played by Henderson). The music in this film ties together so elegantly with the plot, and the most powerful scenes involve the two protagonists using music to express their emotions. I have nothing but praise and adoration for this film and I know that I’ll be watching it again soon.

Music has always been a powerful tool when working with troubled teens but this film shows just how powerful it can be. Not only does it show the power of music, but also the power of what a determined social worker can bring to a community. This Coming of Age film is not like the rest highlighting not just to struggles of teenage years but the added struggle of being in a impoverished community. This engaging movie creates parallels throughout the film that you will still be connecting even after you have finished watching. I recommend this film to anyone looking for a refreshing film about the roller coaster of real life.

As a film lover, I was searching for a film that features real human emotions and flawed characters. I was more than satisfied with Urban Hymn, a heart wrenching and heartwarming film about a troubled teenage girl, Jamie, in a London group home. Little help and chance for a better life has been given to these kids since the world has given up on those left in group homes like Jamie. A compassionate social worker sees potential in Jamie to change her life around and not become another statistic. Jamie is given the chance to join a choir, giving her the ability to use music to channel the frustration and negative energy that has built up. Urban Hymn is about accepting opportunities, letting go of your past, and the struggling to accept help for a life better than the one you have been given. I recommend this film for anyone wanting to experience an impactful story and sheds a light on the realistic life of kids in group homes.

What a heartbreakingly beautiful film! Urban Hymn tells the story of social worker, Kate, who takes a troubled teenager, Jamie, under her wing. After overhearing her singing in her room, Kate invites Jamie to join her community choir group. Torn between her history with her rebellious, defiant best friend and her promising future, Jamie makes both good and bad decisions that leave viewers on the edges of their seats, hoping she will choose the right path and live up to the immense potential she knows deep down that she has. I highly recommend this beautiful, harmonious film that will have you rooting for the protagonists from start to finish.

A film that promotes both acceptance and bravery, Urban Hymn is about Jamie, a troubled teen who betters her life after joining her case workers choir. This coming-of-age drama takes the audience through experiences they are familiar with: the falling out of a friendship, a distinct circumstance that changed our lives, how our passions affect us, and having to be brave and accept help. Urban Hymn moved me with its abounding emotions and relatable experiences. I highly urge anyone who loves music and touching movies to watch this. 

This coming-of-age independent film explores so many different themes that allow for its heart-wrenching drama to be appreciated by a wide range of people. In summary, “Urban Hymn” is about a troubled teen (Letitia Wright) who gets mentored by an interesting social worker (Shirley Henderson) who persuades her to take her talents of singing and performance and seek a healthy and successful life with it. I found that this film intertwines topics of poverty, troubled past, teenage rebellion, losing a loved one with an inspirational and uplifting message that makes this film a feel-good movie. I loved that it showed Jamie’s (Letitia Wright) self-transformation in such a beautiful, authentic, and honest way. This movie left me so inspired to be the best version of myself and really encourage everyone to watch it if you have not already.

Urban Hymn is an inspiring coming of age story in which Isabella Laughland (from Harry Potter) reminded me how compassion can make a difference in someone’s life. Laughland plays a devoted case worker who is assigned a young teen with a troubled past. Their mutual love for music brings them together and changes the young girl’s life forever. This soulful and authentic story kept me on the edge of my seat and even left me a little choked up. I fell in love with each of these characters and their dynamic stories, and I know that you will too! I seriously recommend this film!

Urban Hymn tells the story of Jamie Harrison, a troubled youth living in a London group home. When a new social worker, Kate, takes interest in her, Jamie finds herself struggling with her dreams of singing and a better life and managing her relationship with Leanne, her best friend and partner in crime. The three leads do an amazing job bringing the relationship triangle to life with nuanced emotion and, in Leanne’s case, outbursts of frustration. A moment that sticks with me is prison beating at the hands of Leanne; Jamie’s passiveness and blank expression throughout this scene is matched perfectly by Leanne’s intensity. Props to director Michael Caton-Jones for getting such great work from his actors. For film lovers looking for a heart wrenching story with some standout performances, I highly recommend Urban Hymn.

Within the faded cold images of London, Jamie Harrison (Latitia Wright) exists in the shadows, the ever-present best friend Leanne Dixon (Isabella Laughland) by her side. They steal, smoke, and pillage their way through the rotten underbelly of society. Kate Linton (Shirley Henderson) has spent her life as a successful sociology Professor, until her son was murdered, after which she becomes a social worker at a home for troubled teens. It is within the claustrophobic confines of this house, that these three characters collide. Director Michael Caton Jones throws these characters together, and in doing so creates an affecting and emotional film that may be one of the best this year. With a brilliant and dedicated cast, featuring seasoned vet Shirley Henderson and relatively new to the screen Latitia Wright, Urban Hymn invites its viewers on a soulful journey of life and loss, of growth and evolution. Hang onto your seats and your Kleenex, and make sure not to miss out on this tumultuous and inspiring coming of age story.

Found this movie a pleasant surprise. Engaging and very well acted. Highly recommend.