Urban Hymn

2017 • 114 minutes

About this movie

A redemptive coming of age story about a wayward teen, Jamie (Letitia Wright), who is encouraged by an inspiring and unconventional social worker Kate (Shirley Henderson), to use singing as an escape from her troubled background. Jamie’s loyalties soon become torn between Kate and her possessive and volatile best friend, Leanne (Isabella Laughland).

Ratings and reviews

Urban Hymn follows the story of Kate, a social worker who tries to help change the life of Jamie, the troubled teen who has been assigned to her. Finding a connection through singing, Kate is able to help Jamie after she joins her choir. What stood out to me is Isabella Laughland’s portrayal of Jamie’s abusive best friend, Leanne. Laughland has been featured in Harry Potter, Black Mirror, and Now Is Good. Laughland’s performance is so authentic and gut-wrenching, you feel as if you’re truly in the movie yourself. I recommend this coming-of-age film because it is full of soul, bravery, and truth.

Urban Hymn tells the heartwarming redemption story of a teenaged London orphan, Jamie Harrison, and her mentor, Kate Linton. Kate, portrayed by Shirley Henderson, is a social worker assigned to Jamie, who is played by Letitia Wright. I thought the relationship between the two characters was fascinating and felt realistic. While at first the two do not get along, Kate finds a common ground with Jamie over her passion for singing. To the behest of Jamie’s best friend Leanne, Jamie begins to leave behind her old life of crime and partying. I thought Leanne’s character was written very well; while she could be considered the antagonist of the story, she is still Jamie’s friend and her actions are often morally ambiguous. Urban Hymn is worth the watch.

Urban Hymn is a beautiful story of love, loss, inspiration, and soul. The story of a social worker’s determination to help a troubled teen in her battle to escape the influence of her friend’s self-destruction, it will leave you cheering her on and hoping she sees the potential in herself that you do. Filled with desperate attempts to cope with the cruelty of life, this film is as heartbreaking as it is powerful. It will maintain your attention from beginning to end. I highly recommend it!