A very young Albert Finney stars as a young machinist who still lives at home and spends his hours away from work getting drunk and laid. He's having an affair with a married woman (Rachel Roberts) as the film begins, and develops a new relationship with a pretty girl (Shirley Anne Field) more his age as the story continues.
Drama ensues when Finny first knocks up Roberts and then attempts to arrange an abortion for her. His self destructive and carefree ways quickly catch up with him and he's forced into a life he doesn't particularly want, inevitably heading down the road of transforming into his parents.
The film is shot in stark black and white in realistic locations and its influences can be seen in later British flicks like QUADROPHENIA and even A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, of all things. Finney is very compelling in the lead and it is no surprise he later became a star. This is a bleak coming of age story that benefits from addressing universal themes by using a specific time and place and unique characters. That's usually a winning combination.
No comments:
Post a Comment