The pivotal scene in Made of Stone - a second
seminal goosebump inducing moment of the cinema year after the first radio play of 'Teenage Kicks' in Good Vibrations - is
when the band start to play ‘Waterfall’ together again for the first time
during rehearsals. Indeed the strengths of Shane Meadows’ approach to his
subject is best demonstrated in the scenes without words when the music and the
subconscious human response (whether from the band or fans) meld together as
one. The reminiscence nature is emphasised through old-fashioned editing tricks
of split screen and Slo-mo.
The strength and frailties of the band are clear and
present. This isn't a Squires/Brown axis movie but rather an appreciation of a
real quartet with all the angst and conflict that the mono-named engine room
brings to the dynamic.
There's a lag midway in the build up to Meadow's own
self-confessed (and self-indulgent) ‘Spike Island’ moment - a surprise
free gig for fans. However the footage of the gig captured in monochrome is
impressive.
Made of Stone never outstays its welcome with the
narrative helped by a second act walkout and a resounding finale. A fine
attempt at capturing the mojo of what are essentially a group of pretty
un-engaging characters who somehow achieved, albeit briefly, a sum greater than their parts.
7/10
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