My favourite films include Bridget Jones’ Diary, But I’m a Cheerleader, and Pearl. I’m hoping that one can infer from this list that I am no connoisseur of the prison drama genre, nor at all a fan of it. When the titles rolled, so did my eyes, as the grime music started to play, I sank into my seat and prepared myself for 90 minutes of aggressive testosterone and predictable gang wars, which is a universe away from my usual girly cinematic experience. Yes - if you’ve heard anything about the film, I was not wrong. However, the way in which the film was just so perfectly executed quickly brought me out of a slump, and onto the edge of my seat.
I think the most interesting aspect of the film is its multifaceted presentation of masculinity. Every aspect of manhood is exposed within the high-pressure environment of the film’s setting - we follow the journey of Taylor, played by David Jonsson, as he serves his last few months (which are turbulent to say the least) in prison for manslaughter.
...is able to carry his lead role through the powerful expression of his face...
We see male convicts who are often portrayed as violent, hard-faced individuals through most forms of media - further having the capacity to show vulnerability, cowardice and even solicitude. David Jonsson, without having large amounts of line delivery, is able to carry his lead role through the powerful expression of his face - constituting a stellar performance.
Tom Blyth, known best for Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is unrecognisable as Dee, Taylor’s new and troublesome cell-mate, whose arrival threatens the certainty of a pre-existing drug distribution movement, led by inmates played by Alex Hassell and Corin Silva.
The wavering dynamic between Taylor and Dee is the glue that firmly holds this piece of cinema together. Hassel in particular does a brilliant job of providing a believably harrowing element of threat, substantial enough to validate that dynamic. Through pressures of prison life, Taylor and Dee’s masculinity is weaponised through forms of violence to one another, and also exhibited as a gift via acts of protection and praise, which is fascinating to witness play out on screen.
Furthermore, as I touched upon earlier, the way in which the piece is filmed is spectacular. The surveillance style cinematography adds a further dimension of reality to the film. In addition, I must mention the use of mobile phones. Our phones, unlike professional cameras, capture the mundane moments of our day to day lives, and the inclusion of iPhone shots within sequences of the film served as a nod to the fact that the inmates are living a very different reality - where scenes of violence and torment are normalised, creating a greater element of weight to the piece.
In short, I was thoroughly captivated by Wasteman and I would urge anyone who wants to watch a gripping and thought-provoking piece of cinema to watch this film immediately.