Flashbacks of a Fool (15)

Film

Drama

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Tue Apr 15 2008

In a scene reminiscent of the ending of Robert Altman’s ‘The Long Goodbye’ – where Sterling Hayden’s suicidal writer strolls out into the sea from his Malibu house – Daniel Craig’s washed-out fortysomething writer, Joe Scott, takes a similarly despairing swim into the Pacific and remembers – in lengthy flashback – his fateful sexual and emotional rites-of-passage 30 years earlier in the glam rock-soundtracked 1970s, in a small seaside town in the south-west of England.

Ex-commercials director Baillie Walsh, in moving country and decade, executes a jarring change of mood, milieu and genre. We are hardly accustomed to his high-tech ’Scope images of the Hollywood elite’s drug- and sex-addled playgrounds, before we’re whisked back to the deceptively snugger, old-fashioned world of this fucked-up career exile’s youth. But it’s hard to read the meaning of his fateful escapades in this world of gaming arcades and rundown beach huts, viewed as they are through the distorting lens of the older Joe’s memory.

The result is an ambitious but disappointing, regret-filled psycho-drama. Some individual scenes are impressive: a portentous, Ian McEwan-lite set-piece involving playing children or the scene illustrating the confusion and nascent vanity of the teenage Joe (the handsome-featured but limited Harry Eden) accepting sex with a conflicted, unhappily married neighbour (Jodhi May), knowing it will disappoint his fellow Bowie-loving first love (the excellent Felicity Jones). But, overall, Walsh’s use of music (Scott Walker) and glossy ‘mid-Atlantic’ direction seems more pretentious than evocative and unsuited to the material, beaching too many of the actors’ performances, not least Craig’s, whose sketchy role precludes any sort of audience sympathy or emotional involvement.

Author: Wally Hammond

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Fri Apr 18, 2008

Duration:

114 mins

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(30 ratings)

I was just off to bed when I caught a glimpse of Daniel Craig's naked body, and allowed myself 5 minutes, to see if there was a good story behind the sexy scenes. I disagree with some of the critics, and thought the film was excellent. Put it this way I could not break away from it, even to go to the loo! I agree with an earlier comment from Susan (Psychologist), who said that Joe was able to re-evaluate his life after returning back to his childhood family and friends connection, and to grieve for his friend. I was partly hoping that it would be a fairy tale ending and he would re-kindle the romance with Julie? but that would have probably felt like a betrayal to his dead friend. He was able to help her out with a big fat cheque, so that she could stay in her home and carry on with the lifestyle she had with her husband, but without him. You never know 'Joe' may have returned and actually been quite nice to the dog he had abused, and perhaps got together with his long suffering housekeeper! I would like to know more about the English location, which states it was filmed in London, England. I didn't know there was a great beach like that in London! I thought it looked like 'Lark's Nest' in Gwithian in Cornwall?

Sue Richards Sat May 18
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Critics talking rubbish as usual. This is a brilliant film, as time will prove. I was un-aware of it's existence until the credits rolled on bbc1 the other night. Beautiful use of 70's classic 'If there is something'; the scene in her parents lounge is a rare treat, as is the whole film.Thanks to all concerned. Ok so some of it is a bit shoe horned in edit wise & parts of the story could have been better explored but the niggles are so petty compared to the overall achievement. Best film I have stumbled across for many years.

Matt Taylor Fri May 17
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As a psychologist, I thought the movie was brilliant. The young Joe's rite of passage in the back water town, the tragedy and related guilt that cast him out of his cozy teen hood all presaged his adult life and ultimate downfall in Hollywood. As the adult failed actor returns for the funeral of his friend, his renewed if brief contact with the woman he had feelings for all those years back brings him full circle to an understanding of himself, allowing the potential for change. We don't know if that change actually transpires, but we do know the experience awakens an understanding and perspective of himself which otherwise may have stayed buried forever.

Susan Fri Mar 22
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time out review is spot on.

laszlo weiss Sun Mar 17
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Amazing film. I watched it because Daniel Craig is an amazing actor. I didn't really know what the movie was about. Great movie, beautiful scenes. Touched on the regrets of youth and living with the choices we have made and events that occur. I didn't think it would be that good, but I am happy I saw it.

KK29 Tue Mar 5
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Don,t ever pay to much attention to a film criitic views if that were the case with me i would never have gave this gem of a movie any hope,but so pleased with this film . I think you would have to be British just to get it ?

danny boy Tue Aug 28 2012
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To describe Walsh as a mere advert director is a bit mean... he directed Unfinished Sympathy and Teardrop videos... which puts him up there with the greats... GOOD TO SEE THIS FILM GETTING BELATED PRAISE

john o sullivan Mon Aug 27 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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Just watched this film late last night, I thought it very evocative and well acted by the cast. We make these kind of films in the best understated way, allowing the story to unfold in beautiful glimpses of a past era. I recognise the effect an older woman can have on a young guy, and the scenes of intimacy were handled in a well crafted way without being overtly salacious. When I was sixteen I met a similar person to Evelyn, she taught me much about the power of longing. This film encapsulates many memories, and I felt somehow uplifted after watching it, in part because I live near the sea and feel its influence on our lives.

Edward Mon Aug 27 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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Sat down and watched this film tonight on Beeb 1. God - it takes me back. The critics always get it wrong. Probably because they didn't live through that period. I was 17 when Roxy Music brought out the album with the track If There Is Something and living in Cornwall. The way that it was played by the teenagers was exactly what it was like in 1972 in the South West of England. Great film.

Nic Mon Aug 27 2012
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its plain to see everyone who has commented on the film views this very different to the reviewer perhaps if youd lived this era you would understand thjat it was about bowie v roxy.. the who v zep.. we werent all puttting up che posters and wondering who the Baaders were bombing this week... a fantastic ensemble cast and Felicity Jones is astonishing.. tearing up as i type her name.. 5 star movie

john o sullivan Tue Apr 3 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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Flashbacks of a Fool (15)

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