synopsis:

'rude boy' is part drama, part documentary and part concert film. While Britain suffers from an economic decline, fascists demonstrate in the streets as their opponents organize rallies and concerts under the banner "Rock Against Fascism." There is a dark mood of disillusionment and failure as more and more youths see little or no chance of excitement or purpose.

Although 'RUDE BOY' does have a narrative, it is really more of a rockumentary on The Clash (see rudi can't fail) before they broke America. The film follows Clash fan Ray Gange as he escapes the dole and a dead-end job selling jazz mags in Soho to roadie for the band on their 'Clash on Parole' Tour of the UK. ray works at a sex shop mostly, yet is on the dole for most of the film. He is the complete picture of the disenchanted youth - drunk, frustrated, nihilistic, seeking only to attend Clash shows, chase birds, and down multiple cans of lager.

The backdrop for the film is oppressively grim - with graffiti-strewn inner city tower blocks, growing support for the National Front, heavy-handed police and the rise of the Iron Lady, it is no wonder that the UK's jobless millions felt they had no future.

Ray, a real-life Clash roadie, makes for an unconventional focal point. Spending much of his time slouching around in a somnambulant drunken stupor, he only really speaks to slur semi-audible compliments towards the band, which, although genuinely heartfelt, are usually met with indifference or abuse. On one occasion, Topper Headon inexplicably breaks from a light-hearted conversation with Ray to beat the crap out of him.

about this movie:

the original title of 'rude boy' was rudie can't fail.there is an anarchic unpredictability about 'rude boy' that makes for compelling viewing. Strummer himself was less than happy about being filmed and this sense of confrontation and latent menace is evident throughout.

Ray is the definition of the rude boy - disillusioned, disaffected, young and purposeless, unmotivated for anything beyond booze and birds. This, in effect, is a driving principle of the film as it examines motivations and sources that cause this unrest and can disaffect an entire generation. There are a couple of scenes showing the government's lack of connection with its people, symbolized most clearly by sequences involving P.

M. Thatcher. Her waving to the adoring crowds outside 10 Downing St. at the end of the film, followed quickly by a cut to black for the credits roll and immediately launching into The Clash's Rudie Can't Fail. The film honestly examines the toll being exacted on the citizens, the reasons behind these conditions and, probably most importantly, a way out, a manner with which to handle and overcome this dire situation.this movie also is a bit of a must-own for Clash fans. There are numerous incendiary live performances throughout the film, as well as rehearsal and offstage banter with the band, including coverage of their infamous pigeon-shooting case. 'rude Boy' paints a true portrait of Britain's turbulent troubles with its youth of the day.