The Kid

BASED on the best selling autobiography by Kevin Lewis, ‘The Kid’ is directed by actor and filmmaker Nick Moran. Growing up on a poverty-stricken London council estate during the 70’s and 80’s Lewis escapes a life of horrific child abuse at home. He is locked in his room and beaten by his mother for the smallest offences, so it’s impossible to not feel for him. After being bullied at school and abandoned by the Social Services he worksas a bar manager before becoming a bare knuckled boxer, earning money for small-time crooks.

The film, which is hard to watch at times, opens with a young Lewis played by the brilliant William Finn Miller, being savagely beaten by his mother Gloria, played by the nearly unrecognisable Nastascha McElhone before being taken into care by social services. His upbringing leads him to react violently at the least provocation and he’s eventually taken into a foster home. McElhone is well supported by Con O Neill, her on screen alcoholic and epileptic husband Dennis.

After years of foster homes and a short time at a children’s home he finally settles with a lovely family, Alan and Margaret (James Fox and Shirley Anne Field).


Finally things start to look up for Kevin as he gets his life on track. However when Alan dies and Margaret emigrates, Kevin decides to buy the house which ends up leaving him with a crippling mortgage. Forced to take up bare knuckle boxing, he is savagely exploited by a bunch of underworld hardmen he had previously regarded as friends. Aged just 17 when he started he was nicknamed ‘The Kid’, and despite his horrific upbringing Kevin survived to make a better life for himself. Today Kevin Lewis is an acclaimed crime novelist.   


This truly touching film is heartbreaking, raw and absorbing with outstanding performances by everybody involved. Rupert Friend gives a fantastic interpretation of the mild mannered Lewis, with the high pitched voice. This seems out of place until real footage of Kevin Lewis appears at the end and you realise he is spot on. Everybody should see this remarkable story of one mans wretched upbringing and courageous determination to not just survive but to shine. For lovers of ‘True Stories’ this is definitely one to see.