The Riot Club (2014)

The Riot Club: Directed by Lone Scherfig. With Thomas Arnold, Harry Lloyd, Amber Anderson, Max Irons. Two first-year students at Oxford University join the infamous Riot Club, where reputations can be made or destroyed over the course of a single evening.

“Founded in approximately 1780, the Bullingdon Club were notorious for booking out a restaurant, trashing it beyond recognition and handing the owner a cheque for the damages on the way out. The unofficial club, which still exists today, consists of a select group of male elites at Oxford University and is the inspiration behind the latest cinema release, u0026quot;The Riot Clubu0026quot;.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe Riot Club begins with the group looking to recruit two new starters, as Alistair (Sam Claflin) and Miles (Max Irons) emerge as possible candidates. However, over the course of a single evening, the clubu0026#39;s reputation is put on the line.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe film itself is very much an emotional roller-coaster. Initially, there are plenty of laughs to be had, mostly executed through witty one-liners, though it becomes a lot darker with some shocking scenes that make for extremely uncomfortable viewing. Itu0026#39;s the latter which highlights the filmu0026#39;s superb acting, as the young cast give genuinely convincing performances. Holliday Grainger, who plays Lauren – Milesu0026#39; love interest, particularly stands out here.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003ePlaywright Laura Wade adapted the film from her own play u0026quot;Poshu0026quot;, and it clearly shows, as a large portion of the film is based at the table in the restaurant. While it comes as a slight disappointment that The Riot Club doesnu0026#39;t stray too far from its theatrical origins, it does seem to work in the filmu0026#39;s favour, adding to the suspense before the highly dramatic climax.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWade unsubtly incorporates a number of themes in The Riot Club that are reflective of the society we live in, including the inherited privilege and power culture in the country. Thereu0026#39;s also a lot of political satire, which comes as no surprise considering some of The Bullingdon Clubu0026#39;s ex-members include the current British Prime Minister David Cameron, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOverall, The Riot Club is an excellent play-adaptation that makes for a highly gripping film. Thereu0026#39;s laughs a plenty, shocks a plenty and a great cast. This is a must-see.”