Rocks

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Rocks is an original coming of age film that reeks of authenticity. The film, released in 2019 and directed by Sarah Gavron (director of Suffragette, 2015) surrounds the story of Olushola Omotoso (Bukky Bakray), known as Rocks. Rocks is a black British teenage girl whose mother abandons her and her younger brother, Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu), leaving Rocks to take care of herself and her brother alone, all while juggling schoolwork and friendships.

One of the most endearing part of the film is the cast. With a majority teenaged ensemble cast, the performances are all impressive with not one poor performance. Bukky Bakray as Rocks stands out with her raw, authentic performance and the dynamics that she portrays between Rocks and her brother, Emmanuel (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu) and best friend, Sumaya (Kosar Ali).

A film with such a real, raw, and heartbreaking storyline that is the reality for many people, runs the risk of seeming exploitive, but the film is completely authentic and respectful. It’s not easy to watch at times, and it’s definitely a film in which you know the ending is probably not going to be the fairy tale ending that you desire, but that’s reality. 

The film creates a sense of realism which feels like watching a documentary at times, with a cast full of teenagers playing teenagers. The all-girl high school setting emphasises the authenticity. Despite being finished with high school for 8 years, the film felt like watching a documentary, with the similarities to my own high school experience being profound.

Rocks finishes with many unanswered questions. While this leaves me desiring more, and wishing the film was a little bit longer than it’s 94 minute runtime, it feels fitting to the situation at hand. When the film concludes, the characters we have grown to be invested in are also in the unknown, so it feels appropriate that the viewer is also in the unknown, with the feeling mirroring the reality of the situation they are in.

If you’re looking for a new film to watch in this time when big budget films are few and far between, Rocks is one to look out for. It’s authentic, original, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking. And it’s available on Netflix UK.


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