Ratcatcher (1999)

Amid the sweltering summer of 1973, Glasgow is held hostage by a dustmen strike, and the city festers with mounting garbage heaps, dilapidated council flats, and a polluted canal. Amidst this grim backdrop, a tragedy unfolds as Ryan, a young boy of about twelve, drowns during a casual play fight with his friend - the big-eared James. Haunted by the incident, James navigates the murky waters of life in a cramped flat he shares with his frequently inebriated father, his mother, and hopeful sisters, all yearning for a fresh start in the newly constructed council flats. This gritty, coming-of-age narrative intimately follows James as he ventures into the world of the older boys, forms an eccentric friendship with Kenny, his peculiar, rodent-loving neighbor, and shares moments with Margaret Anne, the slightly older girl who, short-sighted and vulnerable, has become the neighborhood's scapegoat. James finds fleeting instances of joy in this grim existence. The dustmen strike might draw to a close, but will the oppressive gloom lift from James' life? This poignant exploration of childhood innocence and resilience offers a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into the human struggle for hope and escape.

Ratcatcher is a drama movie featuring Tommy Flanagan and directed by Lynne Ramsay.

Ratcatcher is currently streaming on Criterion Channel and Max Amazon Channel.