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Movie Review: Mister Foe Alternate Title: Oedipal Sex
Story: This twisted mister is
unlike anyone you have seen on the screen. Hallan Foe
is 17. He lives much of the time in a tree house on his father's Scottish
estate. He's kooky and he's spooky and he likes to watch. This quirky
and often disturbing film was directed by David Mackenzie
and written by Mr. Mackenzie and Ed Whitmore,
based on the novel Hallam Foe, by Peter
Jinks. Hallan has retreated to the outskirts of society
since his mother's death two years before. He accuses his step other
of her murder. After a squirmy confrontation he flees to Edinburgh where
within moments of his arrival he spies a woman who is the spitting image
of his dead mother. He spies, he connives and finally gets into this
woman's good graces. None of the characters are really who they seem.
They are all quirky, somewhat surprising and in other hands this film
would have bottomed out quickly. But adept direction and the contagious
sweetness and charm of Jamie Bell got me hooked. I will not tell you
more about the plot because the surprises make the film work. Watch
the trailer here: but keep in mind it is being marketed as a comedy
and it is not a comedy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcSImv8itV0 Acting: Jamie Bell as Hallam Foe is as good as he
was in Billy Elliot. He is sweet, smart and the camera adores him -
as do I. Sophia Myles as Kate worked well for me. I
believed her in what could have been an eye rolling part. Ciaran
Hinds is always good. Jamie Sives as the creepy
lover of Kate was terrific.Maurice Roëves as clerk
Raymond was funny - but I needed subtitles to understand much of what
he said. Ewen Bremner as dishwasher Andy was perfect
and Claire Forlani as step mother Verity was Morticia
Addams perfection.
Trivia: Jamie Bell started dancing
when he was six. When he won Best Actor at the 2001 British Academy
Awards (BAFTAs) for Billy Elliot not only
did he beat the Best Actor Oscar winner of that year, Russell Crowe,
but the other three nominees he beat out - Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas
and Geoffrey Rush - had also won the Best Actor Oscar in past years.
Only the second actor ever to be awarded Outstanding Performance by
a Young Actor from the National Board of Review, USA. The first was
fellow Brit Christian Bale in 1987 (then titled Outstanding Juvenile
Performance) for Empire of the Sun (1987).
Predilection: None
Critters: Rats and a swan
Food: Lots of dirty dishes in the Hotel's kitchen.
Also some meat and potatoes at Dad's estate.
Sex Spectrum: Lots of sex, naked butts and boobs.
Blatant Product Placement: Edinburgh looks mighty
fine to me.
Soundtrack: Very interesting and upbeat sound track.
Opening Titles: A cute cartoon graphic.
Visual Art: Director of photography, Giles
Nuttgens makes Edinburgh look sensational.
Theater Audience: Two other guys and me.
Weather: It was fine indeed in Scotland.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 1
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: Mid level to high.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would probably be fine
but seeing Edinburgh on the big screen will make you want to visit.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5 |