spressarts Review of 16 Years of Alcohol

16 Years of Alcohol (2003)

see this movie...wonderful casting and direction...powerful story

[9/10 · 2 January 2006]

I found this movie to be remarkable. I was captivated by the depth of each character from the beginning. The casting was superb. The dualistic forces evident in us all; the undertow of past conditioning and trauma and the propelling urge to transform, are pivotal in Frankie's story. Through the gifted performance of Kevin McKidd, I felt as if I was experiencing this developmental tension from the inside of him. Contrary to the title, alcoholism was rather a subtle subplot. There were no visits to a detox and in the one scene where we are led to a brief glimpse of an AA meeting, Frankie does not identify himself as an alcoholic. None the less, alcoholism provided a powerful back drop to the more obvious themes of rage, repression and the redeeming power of love and intention. Alcohol is portrayed as the catalyst to fuel the violence, betrayal and poor choices, the gage to measure the protagonist's progress and most important a means to pathologically cope with emotional pain and unresolved memories which thematically appear throughout the film. The richness and natural beauty of the women in the movie and the lighthearted romantic moments provided a welcomed balance to the intensity. The artful direction of incorporating stills with action as well as the thoughtful use of sound light and closeups further made this film worthy of high merit.