Shoplifters of the World – Movie Review
Director: Stephen Kijak
Writer: Stephen Kijak (Screenplay)
Writer: Lorianne Hall (Story)
Cast
- Helena Howard
- Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood)
- Elena Kampouris (Before I Fall)
- Nick Krause (The Descendants)
- James Bloor (Leatherface)
Plot: 1987. Denver, Co. One crazy night in the life of four friends reeling from the sudden demise of iconic British band The Smiths, while the local airwaves are hijacked at gunpoint by an impassioned Smiths fan.
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Shoplifters of the World starts as we meet four friends Cleo (Howard), Sheila (Kampouris), Billy (Krause) and Patrick (Boor). The four love the band ‘The Smiths’ and are left devastated by the news the band has broken up.
The four are facing life problems, with Cleo unsure of what is next in life. Sheila struggles with how people see her, Billy preparing to join the army and Patrick with his own identity. They attend a party when they learn of Dean (Coltrane) hijacking a radio station, demanding they play The Smiths. The songs will reflect the struggles the friends go through.
Verdict on Shoplifters of the World
Shoplifters of the World is a comedy-drama that shows the struggles young people can have in life. It shows how they will use music to help express themselves and learn to adapt. Most importantly it will highlight how something as trivial as a band breaking up, can change a life.
The movie doesn’t back away from social issues going on in life. Something in 1987, wouldn’t have been as easy to discuss openly with people. It tackles gender identity, depression and homosexuality in a way that showed friends could understand but opening up was always the hardest part.
The performances in the movie are great, with the five young performers with struggles shining through. Joe Manganiello as the radio host also gets to show one that life is hard even as an adult.
Final Thoughts – Shoplifters of the World is a brave vision of how hard life can be.
