Urchin Review – 'Tackles homelessness with deep empathy'

Urchin review – a sharp, empathetic study of life on the fringes

Harris Dickinson proves there's no end to his talents with his feature debut about a homeless Londoner who keeps running into trouble. It’s easy to feel invisible in a city of 8.8 million people – even more so if you’re one of London’s estimated 12,000 rough sleepers. Mike (Frank Dillane) seems to take it mostly in his stride; he’s figured out the best spot to hide his meagre possessions (behind two commercial bins) and only seems mildly irritat…

Urchin Review – 'Tackles homelessness with deep empathy'

Actors making the transition to directing are a dime a dozen, but there’s something special about Urchin, Harris Dickinson’s feature debut. Sure, he’s navigated his career so far with impeccable taste, working with the likes of Joanna Hogg and Steve McQueen, but as a filmmaker he’s more than just a sponge for his collaborators — he’s a fresh and original artist in his own right. In the impersonal expanse of London, Dickinson finds a personal sto…

Urchin review: Harris Dickinson’s distinctive debut

The acclaimed actor makes imaginative choices with his first feature, an exploration of addiction and homelessness led by an outstanding performance from Frank Dillane.