England Is Mine is an amusing and evocative portrait of the early years of singer-songwriter Steven Morrissey, the uncompromising, Manchester-born musician and former frontman of seminal 1980s band The Smiths.
A would-be writer, Steven (played by rising star Jack Lowden, Dunkirk) finds himself forced to take a job at the local tax office to help his family. He is constantly taking time off to spend with local art student Linder (Jessica Brown Findlay, Downton Abbey) or hiding on the office roof to write lyrics.
Made with a wonderfully wry sense of humour, England is Mine presents Morrissey as intent on railing on those around him but also too shy and insecure to break from the mainstream. It explores his cultural influences, depression, and creativity.
The title comes from the song ‘Still Ill’ (“England is mine, and it owes me a living. Ask me why and I'll spit in your eye”), written by Morrissey and Marr, and perfectly reflecting his ambitions, frustrations and eventual determination to become the artist he is destined to be.
