Flashbacks of a Fool (2008)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Baillie Walsh

Writer:

Baillie Walsh (writer)

Release Date:

17 October 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A fading Hollywood star looks back at the days of his youth as he returns home from his best friend's funeral. |

Cast

Emile Robert	...	Young Joe Scot
Daniel Craig	...	Adult Joe Scot
Julie Ordon	...	Carrie Ann
Gina Athans	...	Apple
Erich Conrad	...	Voice of Radio DJ (voice)
Eve	...	Ophelia Franklin
Emilia Fox	...	Sister Jean
Annabel Linder	...	Dawn
Angie Ruiz	...	Priscilla
Sue Dall	...	Maitre D
Mark Strong	...	Mannie Miesel
Pope Jerrod	...	Waiter
Darron Meyer	...	Valet
Harry Eden	...	Teenage Joe Scot
Max Deacon	...	Teenage Boots McKay

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.

Runtime:

Argentina:110 min | Greece:110 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Ireland:16 | UK:15 | USA:R | Brazil:16 | Taiwan:R-12 (original rating) | Australia:MA | Finland:K-13 | Argentina:16 | Singapore:R21 (cut)

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Left Turn Films

Quotes:

Boots: [In the Tunnel] Hey Joe! You know David Bowie believes in aliens?
Young Joe Scot: Yeah, I know.
[pause]
Young Joe Scot: You stink! You need a bath.
Boots: I had a bath.
Young Joe Scot: When?
Boots: I...
[thinking]
Young Joe Scot: Exactly! You never take a bath! You stink!
Boots: Well, how often do you have a bath then?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Flashbacks of a Fool Movie Special (2008) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Mozart: 1 Regina Coeli, Laetare

If you are willing to become emotionally involved - this film is for you.

This film was right up my street. I would recommend it to anyone who is happy and indeed eager to become emotionally involved in a story. I have to say that the lip sync sequence was outstanding and it stayed in my head for days afterwards. I was thinking about the film for days after I'd seen it. There was something incredible for me in the way the whole film was shot but especially the flashbacks to the seaside - it awoke something for me from that era that I had forgotten about from my childhood and I found it strangely comforting. Not that I grew up near the sea but it struck a chord deep inside. How great to be able to capture something so brilliantly and bring it to life for others. I am envious of Baillie WALSH for this but thank God for him also. I look forward to seeing what else can be done.

Daniel CRAIG was stunning in the role, and brought it to life by showing us something we haven't seen in him too often - the sadder/nastier character - although his physique was maybe a little too perfect to make the decadent, fast living, hedonistic junkie completely believable - although I will forgive him for this! Harry EDEN who played the young Joe showed us all the awkwardness of youth and adolescence along with the desperation to grow up and all it's pitfalls. He was stunning on screen and oozed fragility. I would have liked to see the link showing how young Joe became an actor but understand there is a limit to how long a film can reasonably be.

Similarly to NOTES ON A SCANDAL and THE MOTHER - this for me was the kind of film that I could enjoy over and over and each time still feel that I am a seeing something I shouldn't - like a secret - and watching every delicious moment without being noticed myself.