Anna Daniels
This film may provoke strong reactions. Here’s the scoop:
While most trailers sell an idealized version of life, Lollipop plunges the viewer into an oppressive bureaucratic nightmare, intermingled with a glimmer of hope, creating a sense of triumph. Daisy-May Hudson’s latest work, shared in its first trailer, doesn’t just touch your emotions—it extracts them entirely.
The story unfolds in a post-prison limbo, with Posy Sterling portraying Molly, a mother newly released from jail, finding herself ensnared in a cruel systemic loop: no home equals no children, and vice versa. It’s a heart-wrenching scenario reminiscent of Kafka, but in a modern context of council housing.
“You can take whatever you want from me… You’re never going to take my child.”
— Molly, in the trailer
That line cuts deep with a tenderness that resonates powerfully.
The Core Conflict of the Story
This film transcends typical UK dramas; it’s a powerful social commentary. Lollipop distinguishes itself by avoiding the clichés of saviors and victims. There’s no heroic social worker or neatly resolved storyline. Molly’s battle isn’t about morality; it’s about systemic failures. She is inherently good and striving for change, yet remains trapped.
The trailer highlights compelling moments of resilience: Sterling’s tense demeanor and the vibrant energy of Ahmed as Amina, a friend who not only listens but fights alongside her. Their dynamic is pivotal, embodying both drama and support, with chemistry that ignites the narrative.
A Fresh Perspective
When compared to films like I, Daniel Blake (2016) or Fish Tank (2009)—two significant entries in British social realism—Lollipop enriches the dialogue of the genre. Instead of focusing solely on male suffering or youthful angst, it introduces a narrative of maternal defiance. It’s not merely about one woman against an oppressive system; it’s about two women declaring their intent to dismantle the existing structure and create something new.
Hudson, known for her previous work Half Way, draws from personal experiences and urban grit. Reviews from the Edinburgh Film Festival praised Lollipop for its emotional depth: “Heartbreaking yet uplifting, avoiding any emotional manipulation.” This means every tear shed is earned—no emotional gimmicks here.
The Distinctive Approach
The brilliance of the trailer lies in its subtlety. There are no dramatic musical crescendos or sentimental reunions. Instead, we see stark, confined spaces, sterile offices, and the simmering anger of mothers with little to lose.
In a time when dramatic narratives often glamorize suffering for entertainment, Lollipop serves a reminder that these experiences are not trends—they are battles for survival.
Would you risk everything for a system that has already deemed you unworthy?
After watching the Lollipop trailer, you don’t feel uplifted; you feel furious—potentially igniting a desire to take action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5njyfo7z_kw
