Hallam Foe (2007)

Director:

David Mackenzie

Writers:

Peter Jinks (novel)
David Mackenzie (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 August 2007 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Who is Hallam Foe?

Plot:

Hallam's talent for spying on people reveals his darkest fears-and his most peculiar desires. Driven to expose the true cause of his mother's death, he instead finds himself searching the rooftops of the city for love.

Plot Keywords:

Rooftop | Kitchen | Hotel | Scotland | Stepmother Stepson Relationship

Awards:

8 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jamie Bell	...	Hallam
Ruth Milne	...	Jenny (as Ruthie Milne)
John Paul Lawler	...	Carl
Claire Forlani	...	Verity
Lucy Holt	...	Lucy
Ciarán Hinds	...	Julius
Malcolm Shields	...	Kilt Man
John Comerford	...	Grumpy Glaswegian
Gerry Cleary	...	Grumpy Glaswegian
Paul Blair	...	Raincoat Man
Neil McKinven	...	Police Officer
Sophia Myles	...	Kate
Jamie Sives	...	Alasdair
Maurice Roëves	...	Raymond (as Maurice Roeves)
Stuart Hepburn	...	Police Inspector

Also Known As:

Mister Foe (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:12 | Germany:12 (re-rating on appeal) | Germany:16 (original rating) | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA (2007) | Sweden:11 | South Korea:18 | Singapore:R21 | Hungary:16 | USA:R | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Company:

Film4

Trivia:

Although much of Hallam Foe is filmed in central Edinburgh, the film avoids showing Edinburgh Castle, which is visible from many of the real life locations.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Hallam works in the Balmoral Hotel at the East end of Princes Street, yet all shots of the staff entrance to the hotel are clearly the Caledonian Hotel at the West end of the Street.

Soundtrack:

Tender to the Blues

entertainingly wayward

Excellent performances, including a beautiful one by the city of Edinburgh, are what make this erratic movie worth seeing. Jamie Bell is very endearing, and demonstrates a wide emotional range (compare and contrast dull American actors like Ryan Phillippe and Matt Damon). He's well supported by, amongst others, Sophia Myles, Jamie Sives, that wonderful old stager Maurice Roeves and, in an splendid cameo, Ewan Bremner.

The story loses itself in unconvincing melodrama towards the end, which is a pity. Up till then it's an eccentric, entertainingly wayward affair, with a sparky script, good photography and lively editing.