Flashbacks of a Fool Review

"Flashbacks Of A Fool" reviews

Movie

Flashbacks Of A Fool

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2008-04-07 15:03:06

Provider

Review

If Daniel Craig wanted to tell the world that there was more to his acting repertoire than the cocktail-sipping of 007 he could hardly have picked a better opening scene than in this portrait of a man facing up to middle age.

For here we see Craig naked, snorting cocaine and contemplating a wasted life. It is a far cry from Bond's shaken not stirred exterior.

The plot of this thoughtful British drama sees Craig play Joe Scott, an English Hollywood actor whose best days are behind him. Upon hearing of the death of his best friend, Scott returns home for the funeral, at which point the film flashes back to an adolescent Scott, played by the excellent Harry Eden, learning about life and love in 1970s rural England.

The young Scott finds himself torn between a girl his own age and an affair with an older woman; a love triangle whose tragic consequences provide an explanation for some of the older man's isolation.

With a fine cast that includes Helen McCrory and Mark Strong this is a touching and intriguing take on the coming-of-age drama. It is expertly handled by director Baillie Walsh.

Walsh, best known for directing music videos such as Massive Attack's Unfinished Sympathy, infuses the film with the exuberance and energy of youth. He also provides an electrifying glam-rock soundtrack against which the young and old Scott battle their demons.