Product Description Daniel Craig stars as as a hedonistic Hollywood star who returns to his roots when his career hits a crisis. Joe Scott (Craig) is living the movie-star dream, with a house in the Hollywood hills and girls on tap, he indulges his every whim. But when his childhood best friend Boots (Max Deacon) dies suddenly, he returns to England for the funeral, to be confronted by his past and the regret of a lost love. Joe's teenage years with his first love Ruth (Claire Forlani) were tainted by an affair with his mother's best friend, leading him to leave for good. Now thirty years later, he returns to confront his guilt, and finally make amends to his former love. .co.uk Review Leading man Daniel Craig apparently made Flashbacks of a Fool (he was also one of the executive producers) in between stints as James Bond, and you can see why he was attracted to it; Joe Scott, the character he portrays in this film, could hardly be less like the suave, ever-resourceful 007. Ensconced in a fab, oceanfront Malibu crib, Joe is a movie star on the skids. Hooked on coke and drink, engaging in group gropes with dumb Hollywood bimbos, he’s sunk so low that his sassy assistant (Eve) calls him "a disgrace to white folks," and even his agent is sick of him, which is somewhat akin to a parasite dissing its host (it’s a measure of writer-director Baillie Walsh’s script’s lack of depth that we never really see what made Joe so great in the first place, or so bad now). When a call comes that a childhood friend has died, Joe decides to return to his native England for the funeral, whereupon an extended flashback kicks in. Young Joe (Harry Eden), it seems, was as randy and hopelessly naïve as a lot of teenage boys. Though he had the hots for the sexiest young thang in town (a coastal village that’s as lovely in its way as the California setting, both of them handsomely photographed by cinematographer John Mathieson; the locations, in fact, are probably the most attractive element of the film), he also wasn’t immune to the advances of Evelyn (Jodhi May), the older married woman who lives next door. And when a tragedy involving Evelyn’s daughter struck while she and Joe were in flagrante, Joe handled it by leaving town, never to return--until now, that is. --Sam Graham
P**R
Beautiful.
Hard to accept that this film will be ten years old this year. I owned this DVD near the time of release and found it entertaining, thought provoking and quite immersive. And that was that. Probably would have ended up on Ebay. Then felt drawn back to it and watched it a couple more times and found that it is a film which grows on you. Lent it to my boss at work and never got it back. Bought another a few years later and then it disappeared after a family visit. Bought it again this year and watched it last night just prior to New Year getting going and it still has a powerful hold.The quality of the camera work is beautiful, really beautiful. The story line is very sad and vaguely depressing, but it is one of those movies which has a message rather than bubblegum and flashing lights. To me, it shows how vast chunks of our lives can be cast adrift and steadily move away over time to become another separate entity. In our memory they are tantalisingly close, almost close enough that when you close your eyes you could almost touch them. In reality those times are unreachable and are irreversibly gone.As the wise man once said, "wherever you go, that's where you are". (Brady Bunch 1995)I will not be lending this DVD to anybody else.
M**N
A Grower
I've seen this film three times now. The first time I saw it I didn't get the point, then the second time I liked it more, by the third time I realised I loved it. It's a very under-rated, under-produced film with a fairly small cast of people who are usually seen on British TV (except Mr Craig and Eve of course) and the soundtrack is amazing. The final scene that is played out alongside If There Is Something by Roxy Music is moving and sums up the whole film.This is an evocative story of the loss of innocence, a bygone age and the disappointments of middle age. It is beautifully filmed and Harry Eden is a revelation as the young Joe. I can see this film wouldn't appeal to everyone but it's now listed amongst my favourites.
M**K
Strangely enchanting....
Daniel Craig plays against type in this oddly charming film set mainly in a 1970's English beach community - which examines the lead character's flawed current existence and the typically teenage roller-coaster ride that brought him there. However, whilst Craig is convincing, the stand-out performances have to be from the delightful Harry Eden (playing Craig's Joe Scott as a teenager) and the high quality ensemble cast surrounding him (Olivia Williams, Annabel Linder and Max Deacon). The much remarked about 'Sound-track' doesn't stand out as much as say 'C.R.A.Z.Y.' but the '70's era is marvelously portrayed. Quirky, original and enticing - the film made me want to find the book (if it exists). Well recommended Sunday viewing which deserved more positive attention than the 'critics' gave it at Cinema.
J**S
Magnificent
I can't praise this film highly enough and I can't believe I had never heard of it before! So many wonderful films get tucked away somewhere. What an amazing film! Why on earth is this not well-known? Lush photography, tremendous characterisations, poignant plot, stunning acting from all, especially Daniel Craig and the gorgeous young Harry Eden (my word!), classic music from the 60s and 70s .... extremely moving, wistful, delightful, extraordinary. A film to watch over and over again. I can't believe that some reviewers (the minority) have given this a mere one star.
L**Y
A really wondeful film
I wonder if this film went over alot of peoples heads who weren't teenagers in the 1970's, I was and thought it captured the era brilliantly, the soundtrack is amazing and I thought that the insight into present day Hollywood when you face no longer fits was very intersting.I thought Daniel Craig was very good in this role and it was refreshing to see such an actor not in a 'blockbuster'Personally I was suprised that this film was not a bigger sucess and would recommed it, especailly to poeple who lived through and loved the 70's.
S**E
I really loved this film
Had very low expectations of this film but I absolutely loved it. Wonderful locations and a nice story coupled with great acting from both the adults and teenagers. Well thought out story which makes you think about cause and effects. Nicely written, with great characters. Daniel Craig fans will love it, as will anyone looking for a story of childhood and regret.
B**E
A must see movie...
It's been a long time since I watched this movie but it has stayed in my mind since. I won't say what the movie is about,you can read other reviews for that. I just wanted to buy it so I can watch it whenever I want...which will be ALOT! If you grew up in the seventies or early eighties then this movie will touch something in you that you can't explain (if not,you will still love it)This is just a great,different,interesting movie and you need to see it. Trust me on this one. :)
L**P
Great film but crummy picture quality.
This is a great film that missed everyone’s attention. However the picture quality of this disc is poor!!! Buy the download, the quality is perfect.
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