Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageHollow Reed (1995)
Director: Angela Pope
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Martyn (Donovan) is a gay doctor estranged from his wife Hannah (Richardson). Visited by their 9-year-old son Oliver, who lives with his mother, Martyn suspects that the blood on the boy's face is not the result of school bullying but something more sinister. Is Oliver being abused by Hannah's lover Frank (Flemyng)? Hannah, however, rejects the notion out of hand, impelling Martyn to sue for custody. Trouble is, Oliver's so frightened, and reluctant to upset his mum, that he won't speak out against Frank. Besides, there's also the fact that Martyn lives with Tom (Hart) - and a gay man, in the eyes of the law, is unlikely to be deemed a better parent than a heterosexual woman. Sensitive, intelligent and affecting, Pope's film derives much of its emotional punch from its cast: Donovan gives an especially fine, focused performance, Richardson scrapes together some sympathy for a character whose blinkered gullibility is frequently infuriating, and young Sam Bould is admirable as Oliver.Author: GA
Cast & crew
Director: Angela Pope
Producer: Elizabeth Karlson
Cast: Sam Bould, Martin Donovan, Ian Hart, Joely Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Shaheen Khan, Roger Lloyd Pack, Annette Badland full cast
Duration: 104 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now