NEW Mister Foe (DVD)

MISTER FOE (aka HALLAM FOE) is another dark film about buried pain and insecurities, much like director David Mackenzie's YOUNG ADAM. Mackenzie is also responsible for the crackling screenplay adapted from the novel by Peter Jinks, the story of a young lad named Hallam (Jamie Bell) damaged by his mother's death/?suicide to the point where he separates himself from the world by living in a tree house, observing his father (Ciarán Hinds) in his too rapid replacement of Hallam's mother with the dangerous Verity (Claire Forlani). A bizarre 17-year-old, Hallam attacks his fears and the world dressed in a manner of beast like costumes, all to assuage his grief for his mother's death. When Verity's behavior drives Hallam from his elegant home, he retreats to Edinburgh, becoming a boy of the streets. One day he spies a woman named Kate (Sophia Myles) who greatly resembles his dead mother and he begins stalking her, spying on her in every conceivable way until he convinces her to hire him in her hotel as a kitchen porter. Proximity feeds obsession and Hallam discovers that Kate is having an affair with a married hotel executive, the result of which is a clash with reality, and Hallam must confront his Oedipal desires with his coming to grips with the reality of his grief for this deceased mother. The discovery he makes with Kate transfers to his relationship with his own family and opens doors for growth rather than maintaining his jail-like mental anguish.

The story is bizarre and very dark at times, but the performance by Jamie Bell, well accompanied by those of Hinds, Forlani, Myles et al, make this tale of coming of age fascinating. The art direction (Caroline Grebbell), cinematography (Giles Nuttgens) and musical score (as concocted by Matt Biffa from performers such as Future Pilot A.K.A.) enhance the production - maintaining the high standards set by Mackenzie. Hallam is a lad we grow to love despite his kooky behavior: few other actors could inhabit this role with the élan of the considerably talented Jamie Bell. Recommended. Grady Harp, November 08

Not sure why the title was changed. Hallam is the name of the main character. Mister Foe doesn't make the title any more clear or, for that matter, any more interesting for the unknowing to want to view. The film is, however, very engaging and quirky. Jamie Bell is an under rated and remarkable talent in film today. He can always be trusted to give an unusual and startling performance. This is certainly no exception. It is not a great film but entertaining with quite a few bright moments. Claire Forlani is lovely to hate and Sophia Myles is very charming to watch. It is all about Bell though. He is destined for great things. From Billy Elliot to now his character choices and studies have been remarkable and he is to be applauded for not becoming "mainstream" in his thinking. Continue to expect greatness from him.

"Mister Foe" is a delightful surprise! Perhaps oddball coming-of-age movies strike a chord with me. My all-time favorite is probably Harold and Maude about a young man who, like Hallam Foe, has unusual behavior. Jamie Bell, who was excellent in Jumper and came to our attention with "Billy Elliott" in 2000, plays a young man who is a peeping tom in an apparent reaction to the loss of his mother. The intensity and range he expresses glued my eyes to the film. Claire Forlani who captured my heart in "Meet Joe Black" and was recently in "In the Name of the King" plays the heavy in the film, the domineering step-mother. She does a great job with her subtle performance. The moment early on in the film where Hallam refers to her as a lady of the evening is followed by a pregnant pause at his faux pas, followed by her rollicking laughter. It's a great moment. Hallam sees Kate in Edinburgh who resembles his mother and follows her, securing a job where she works. Kate is played by the lovely Sophia Myles who was on TV's "Moonlight" and also played in the film "Tristan & Isolde." Myles comments on the appealing nature of Bell's posterior in a witty aside in the DVD featurette. Kate sports a businesslike air on the job, but lets loose in her private life. Hallam spies on her as she makes love to her married lover Alasdair played by Jamie Sives. The moment when Sives looks up and makes eye contact with Hallam and seems to enjoy being watched as he makes love is so wrong in so many ways and yet works marvelously in the context of the film. Ciaran Hinds who was great in Stop-Loss and also was in "There Will Be Blood" plays Hallam's father Julius. The touching father-son moment is well played and creates emotional depth. Ewen Bremner who was in "Fool's Gold" has a delightful deleted scene and a sparkling cameo as Andy the bellhop. Maurice Roeves also has a great cameo as the grizzly old dishwasher. "Mister Foe" may be a naughty pleasure, but it is a delightful film, sparkling with energy and originality. Bravo!