Cast:Daniel Craig, Harry Eden, Olivia Williams, Claire Forlani, Mark Strong
Director:Baillie Walsh
Genre:Drama
Year: 2008
Rating:R
An aging Hollywood star, Joe Scott, lives a life of narcissistic hedonism, observed by his laconic personal assistant, Ophelia. The death of his childhood best friend, Boots, takes our protagonist, and the movie, into an extended flashback to a sea-side town in 1970's Britain. Hollywood star Joe is now a teenage boy in a tentative relationship with a school-girl called Ruth. Further, his mother's friend, Evelyn, is attempting to seduce him. Engulfed by guilt at the unintended, tragic consequences of his subterfuge, he leaves home. The movie then switches back to contemporary Hollywood. Joe confronts his fear and returns to England for a difficult meeting with Ruth, who had gone on to marry Boots and has been a left a poor widow.
Daniel Craig plays Joe Scott, a movie star who has seems past his prime, even his own agent tells him, "there's no role for you anywhere". This film was a sort of pet peeve for Craig, he not only stars in the movie but is also it's Executive Producer as well. But as the title suggests you do not get to see this leading man as much as you might think. As Joe begins to wonder what has happened to his life, we are taken back to his adolescent days of first love on the quiet English seaside, as a young boy Joe takes the form of actor, Harry Eden. Some might find the film a little too slow or even boring but if you have the patient for a good drama about someone looking back on their life with regrets then you should find this to be very entertaining. The direction here is flawless and the film is a well-written piece of humanity that is as enjoyable as it is thought-provoking. Daniel Craig is known to most as being the new 'James Bond' but this is an actor with great skill and one that brings a lot more to the table than just being able to handle action scenes. The entire cast is fantastic and the film really pulls the viewer in, it has an almost artistic film that captivates. I can see why the film did not get a bigger push in theaters but don't let that fool you, if you are willing to become a little emotionally involved then this will be a very rewarding film for you as it was for me. Also the film packs a fantastic 70's soundtrack that not only helps create the mood but is simply amazing to hear again. Released by Anchor Bay Entertainment. **** Out Of *****