Deconstruction of London to Brighton (inspiration)

 

London to Brighton is a 2006 award-winning British film. The film was written and directed by Paul Andrew.

Kelly is a working class prostitute that becomes Joanne's mother figure as they travel to Brighton. The role of the mother figure is evident through kelly making sure she was fed and showered. The first scene we see of kelly goes against Todorov's theory of equilibrium as Kelly is seen to be running into a public toilet with a black eye in panic.

The representation of the working class is shown through the council houses, drugs, smoking, guns and a work man's cafe. Joanne and Kelly are seen to be working class they are vulnerable as they are targeted by dangerous men that intend to kill them.

Joanne's childhood differs from others as she runs away at the age of 12 away from her abusive father and motherless home. She wears childlike clothes, eats ice cream and plays on the beach which shows her innocence however she smokes which subverts the common representation of young children.

The characters subvert common media representations as Kelly is a prostitute yet acts as a mother figure to Joanne and acts maternal, along with shielding and protecting her on their journey. Furthermore the character 'Stuart' subverts representations of a middle aged and middle classed man, instead he is abusive towards Joanne and Kelly and kills two men.

Brighton is represented as safe place to get away from the prostitution and homelessness however that quickly changes and Kelly and Joanne end up in a worse situation. Their end goal is to get to Devon however their dreams are unrealistic and because of their vulnerability makes them unable to achieve it.