A boy nearing manhood, beset and besotted
A version of this review appeared when "Mister Foe" was presented at the Philadelphia International Film Festival in April. 'I like creepy guys," confesses Kate Breck (Sophia Myles) in a bar, one too many drinks in her belly and her brain, to the young lad named Hallam Foe (Jamie Bell). In Mister Foe - a pervy and poignant tale of a boy on the brink of manhood, still reeling from the death of his mother - the late-20s Kate and the just-18 Hallam tumble into a strange romance.
A version of this review appeared when "Mister Foe" was presented at the Philadelphia International Film Festival in April.
'I like creepy guys," confesses Kate Breck (Sophia Myles) in a bar, one too many drinks in her belly and her brain, to the young lad named Hallam Foe (Jamie Bell). In
Mister Foe
- a pervy and poignant tale of a boy on the brink of manhood, still reeling from the death of his mother - the late-20s Kate and the just-18 Hallam tumble into a strange romance.
How strange? Well, unbenownst to her, Hallam has been spying on the beautiful, blond Kate since the very first day he arrived in Edinburgh from his family's remote loch-side estate. He's been stalking her not just because he's developed the "unedifying habit" of a Peeping Tom, but because Kate is the spitting image of his mother. Younger, of course, but eerily alike.
A dark, often funny Oedipal and erotic tale from
Young Adam
director David Mackenzie,
Mister Foe
benefits from the emotionally and physically agile performance of Bell - grown up since the hit
Billy Elliot
but no less committed to the character he portrays. Able to navigate the necessary social routes to gain employment and get along with coworkers, Hallam's nonetheless seriously lost in his own universe: grieving, fantasizing, plotting revenge, fondling dead animal pelts.
He's all but certain that his stepmother (Claire Forlani) killed his mum and made it look like suicide. And he holds his father (Ciaran Hinds) in contempt for having an affair with this "white trash gold-digger" who's now become part of the family.
Beautifully shot, with a melancholy, jangling pop soundtrack and a beguiling turn from actress Myles,
Mister Foe
is much more than just another well-made coming-of-age drama. It goes deeper, and stays longer, kicking around in your head.
Mister Foe ***1/2 (out of four stars)
Directed by David Mackenzie. With Jamie Bell, Sophia Myles, Claire Forlani and Ciaran Hinds. Distributed by Magnolia Pictures.
Running time:
1 hour, 35 mins.
Parent's guide:
R (sex, nudity, profanity, adult themes)
Playing at:
Ritz at the Bourse