The title of this movie is a bit misleading. Yes, one of the main characters, Vince, was famous. He’s a boy band veteran, and the story picks up now that he’s been 20 years past the peak of his popularity. But this isn’t a first-person story, it’s a team effort.
Played with almost triumphant originality by Ed Skrein, Vince is about to get his music career off the ground. It’s not working. He ended up setting up his gear on an ironing board for an impromptu park performance in his south London neighborhood. There he was joined by a spectator with a merry clanging drumstick on a metal bench. He makes Vince’s electronic noodles something like jam.
The child is autistic Stevie, who is played by neurodivergent actor Leo Long. The seamlessness with which the actor and his charming characters fit into the picture is one of the most remarkable things about director Eddie Sternberg’s work.
Vince tries to get Stevie to join a neighborhood music program, an inspirational drum circle led by Dia (Kurt Ejawan). Vince then tries to convince Stevie’s protective mother, Amber (Eleanor Matsuura), that her gig at the club could have a positive effect on Stevie. He actually asks former boy band colleague and still-famous Austin (Eoin McKen) to listen to the duo, dubbed the Timmen by the club’s owner.
From Vince’s incredible transfer of energy to Stevie and delivery of the inevitable line, “All he ever wanted was friends,” it’s all pretty predictable. This really has the effect of taking the exit ramp from Victor’s cliché and making for a truly amazing finale.
i used to be famous
Unrated. Running time: 1 hour 44 minutes. watch on netflix.