Without a doubt this was the most on edge I’ve been for a film in a while. Watching it I was thinking, this feels very similar to Uncut Gems, or something that the Safdie’s would do – then I found out they were actually meant to direct and it all made sense.
- Director – Cal McMau
- Runtime – 90 minutes
- Certificate – 18
- Country – United Kingdom
I’m hopeful that this film will be looked back on as not only one of the best prison films of the decade, but one of the most underrated prison films – especially within the UK. This will absolutely fly under people’s radar, and with it offering a unique and different perspective of life from inside, it should be in the spotlight.
I feel like a lot of prison films try to humanise the inmates (especially the protagonist) or showcase the flaws of justice system. This does not. Instead, all of the inmates are horrible people, deserving to be in there with no sign of redemption. Of course David Jonsson’s Taylor is humanised a bit, but he is still not exactly a good person as you see the events of the film unfold. Can his actions be justified? Probably. Nonetheless, he’s not exactly a saint.
David Jonsson is a powerhouse. He delivers a phenomenal performance of not only delivery but physicality.
He said that in an interview he lost quite a bit of weight for the role and what a choice that turned out to be. Again they do humanise him but to the extent that he isn’t like other inmates physically. Almost everyone towers over him, with him always cowering or hunched over. So simple yet so genius and tells you everything about his character without Jonsson having to say a word.
While Jonsson is brilliant, it was Tom Blyth’s Dee that stood out for me. I was really worried that the script was going to sound forced and unnatural – as UK slang usually does on screen, especially when it’s an actor who didn’t grow up around that language. However, I was surprised that it sounded quite well and took me straight back to secondary school. In contrast to Jonsson, Blyth is more built and physical in a different way. You can also understand his character just by looking at him. The film cleverly uses stereotypes to do this with his tattoos. Blyth even said in an interview that people looked at him differently after a shoot with his tattoos still on.
Technically this film is a gem. It’s cinematography is brilliant and incredibly claustrophobic. Being confined in a prison, that reflects it. Almost every shot is in someone’s face or very close. Even if it’s not, the shot is still closed in. If the camera is looking up at someone on the third floor in the prison, it’s positioned behind the safety net, still giving that feeling of confinement.
Or if it’s an establishing shot of the prison, the camera is slowly zooming in on it. Everything about the cinematography reminds you that are in prison and there is no getting out. It also feels quite documentary like, a lot of the shots are of just random prisoners going about their day trying to pass the time. The way the film is presented is special too. It’s shot in the unique 1.5:1 aspect ratio native to Vistavision. This allows for the film to capture that intimate and claustrophobic feeling.
The film was able to create tension incredibly well. In general it is a slow burn, spending time with these characters and developing their relationship, building them towards their boiling point. With them gradually getting there, the tension also grows and to the point that by the time it gets to the climax, I was basically at the edge of my seat. Even after the climax I still thought something bad was going to happen, that’s how well it was done.
The sound is also impeccable. It is utilised exceptionally well in fight scenes. You feel every punch and every kick without any score in the background. It reminded me of Paul vs Feyd scene from Dune: Part Two. It made those moments all the more personal and impactful. The action scenes are also filmed up close but with the camera involved in the movements rather than static. This allowed for them to capture that chaotic and visceral feeling.
The reason why I believe this will and should be looked back upon is how it approaches toxic masculinity. Within life on the inside that is almost essential for them. Asserting dominance and controlling territory. For instance, when Dee gets beat up and is embarrassed, he desperately tries to get back at those who did it. Taylor even ‘confronts’ him about this asking “why do you need to do this?” (Or something along those lines). While this doesn’t show the flaws of the justice system, it instead shows the flaws of toxic masculinity and that mindset of thinking.
Wasteman is an incredibly stressful and claustrophobic film through its confined cinematography and presentation, supported by its two phenomenal lead performances and unique perspective on prison life, that will surely make this classic.
Wasteman is now playing at the Lockworks.