Savage attempts to highlight social inequalities in Britain through following the lives of a number of characters in vastly different social standings. A banker with a million pound bonus (Colin Firth), a pregnant woman fleeing from her violent boyfriend with her young daughter (Anne-Marie Duff), a Nigerian journalist (David Oyelowo), fleeing from militia in his home country, his wife (Nikki Amuka-Bird) who cleans for an obscenely rich American and a recently released prisoner (Robert Carlyle). Their lives are followed over a brief period of time, with some interweaving of story lines.
The banker is struck by homeless people at tube stations and tries to help, first by giving money, then by volunteering. However, he goes about this the wrong way (throwing money at the homeless, making promises he cannot keep) and ultimately returns to his high society life.
The pregnant woman successfully ignores her violent partner's pleas to return and begins a relationship with the ex-prisoner, himself searching for his only family, his mother. Unfortunately, upon hearing of her death, he breaks down with dire consequences.
After failing to raise £5000 to pay for his father's visa, the Nigerian journalist learns of his father's death and denounces his strong religion. The love for his wife is maybe the only happiness an audience can draw from an otherwise very depressing ending.
This drama was hard to back away from, largely thanks to very good acting from all of the cast which compelled me to see it out. At times this felt like a lecture from Savage, however, it may well be a lecture that some needed to hear.
The banker is struck by homeless people at tube stations and tries to help, first by giving money, then by volunteering. However, he goes about this the wrong way (throwing money at the homeless, making promises he cannot keep) and ultimately returns to his high society life.
The pregnant woman successfully ignores her violent partner's pleas to return and begins a relationship with the ex-prisoner, himself searching for his only family, his mother. Unfortunately, upon hearing of her death, he breaks down with dire consequences.
After failing to raise £5000 to pay for his father's visa, the Nigerian journalist learns of his father's death and denounces his strong religion. The love for his wife is maybe the only happiness an audience can draw from an otherwise very depressing ending.
This drama was hard to back away from, largely thanks to very good acting from all of the cast which compelled me to see it out. At times this felt like a lecture from Savage, however, it may well be a lecture that some needed to hear.