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Flashbacks of a Fool

Flashbacks of a Fool

2008

In this British drama, Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) plays an aging Hollywood star, Joe Scott, who lives a life of narcissistic hedonism. The death of his childhood friend takes him on an extended flashback to a British sea-side town in the '70s where, as a teenager (played by Harry Eden), he undertook a tragic journey of sexual and emotional discovery.

Directed by Brit Baillie Walsh, the mastermind behind videos for Bjork and Massive Attack. Set to a glam-rock '70s soundtrack including tracks by Roxy Music, David Bowie and Scott Walker.

Starring Daniel Craig, Harry Eden, Olivia Williams, Eve, Mark Strong, Helen McCrory, Keely Hawes, James D'Arcy, Jodhi May, Emilia Fox

Directed by Baillie Walsh [music videos for Bjork and Massive Attack]

Written by Baillie Walsh

Drama | 1hr 50mins | Rated (R16) | contains violence , offensive language, violence, drug use, sex scenes | Origin: UK | Official Site »

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The people's reviews

5 reviews

  • Aren't all our lives like this?

     5

    Alley cat

    Nobody (?)

    I'm early forties, and at that point of maturity where a movie like this can shake my foundations.
    Isn't where you are now directly related to some bad choices you made as a teenager? Be honest
    And the final scene haunts me.
    One of my all time favourites already.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Aren't all our lives like this?

     5

    Alley cat

    Nobody (?)

    I'm early forties, and at that point of maturity where a movie like this can shake my foundations.
    Isn't where you are now directly related to some bad choices you made as a teenager? Be honest
    And the final scene haunts me.
    One of my all time favourites already.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • NO STARS

    Rob

    Nobody (?)

    Dire. In all respects. Give this film a Razzie in every category. But especially the screenwriter - oh the writing!!! How Daniel Craig ended up in this is anyone's guess - I think he must have lost a bet with someone.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • Just saw Flashbacks

     4

    Emily

    Nobody (?)

    I saw this movie yesterday, with my reluctant husband! Reluctant because he likes action movies (James Bond is his style) and I like art house dramas and it was my turn to choose. I choose it because it was given an excellent review on the Good Morning Show. I'd like to say that we BOTH enjoyed this movie. Basically, its a story about forgiving yourself but it's not soppy with it. It was well acted, and despite Daniel Craig portraying the adult and very self possessed Joe, very well, I still felt some sympathy for him. I don't want to give too much away but I really enjoyed Joe's interactions with his assistant -I think she was called Ophelia -and although I would have liked to see more of him in the movie (although beleive me, you do see MORE of him) the flashback to his youth was well done and was what the movie was about. I was drawn into the events as they unfolded and to me, that's what a good movie is all about.

    Agree? Disagree?...

  • damn good

     4

    daniel

    Nobody (?)

    Just watched this in the Uk great flick.. Daniel Craig post bond has been even better, about time! great watch.

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Press Reviews

  • BBC

     3

    Bewildered by testosterone, then booze, and then regret, there is little beyond his looks to compel about Joe, leaving a hollowness at the heart of the film.
    Read full review

  • Dominion Post (Graeme Tuckett)

    The film almost works, but self-indulgence and a lack of any real drama stopped Flashbacks from reaching out and grabbing me.
    Read full review

  • Empire (UK)

     2

    An array of small successes can’t support the crushing weight of the malformed screenplay. Not a complete loss by any means, though, and Walsh is a talent to keep an eye on.
    Read full review

  • Guardian (UK)

    A curiously pointless exercise...
    Read full review

  • New York Times

    Wispy melodrama.
    Read full review

  • NZ Herald (Russell Baillie)

     2

    English coastal rites of passage tale lost at sea.
    Read full review

  • Total Film (UK)

     2

    It's a fool's paradise for Craig as his fading filmstar looks back on how teenage hormones lead to tragedy. Walsh doesn't fritter away Daniel's magnanimity, but the lurch between Hollywood washout and ramshackle English adolescence needs more to bond present and past together.
    Read full review

  • Urban Cinefile (Australia)

    Most of our emotional journey takes place during Joe's teenage years, but the impact is equally strong when we return to the present day for the final resolution. It is credit to both Eden and Craig that we care for Joe as much as we do.
    Read full review

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