Lynne Ramsay's 1999 debut feature is a pointless exercise in transgressive Cinema.
Ramsay breaks a fundamental rule of filmmaking, namely that all films should have a life affirming message.
No such luck here.
The national garbage strike of Glasgow, circa 1973, sets the backdrop for a 12-year-old boy who encounters nothing but meanness and neglect in the awful environment around him.
This is a won't-come-of-age story.
Hopefully Glasgow, Scotland has improved with age; "Ratcatcher" has not.
Suffer.
Not Rated. 93 mins.
ZERO STARS
