16 Years of Alcohol

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</td> </tr> </table> <img src="http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/tr/711-1751-4022-36"> <IMG SRC="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/serve?bfmid=37920209&siteid=37746411&bfpage=468x60_pull_down_bor" BORDER="0" WIDTH="1" HEIGHT="1" NOSAVE > <BODY> <HTML/>  </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="592" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="588"><div> <B>16 Years of Alcohol</B> </div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 56 WIDTH="588"><div> Review by Lee Shoquist</div> <div> For Reel Movie Critic </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="588"><div> Directed by Richard Jobson</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="588"><div> HHH</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> I'm a big fan of Terence Davies films, particularly his gritty, soaring "Distant Voices, Still Lives," about a working class British family on the skids and stuck in hard financial and emotional times.  That film used music - songs sung at many key moments in the film - to reveal that childhood memory, however good or awful, is linked to music.  </div> <bR> <div> I was very much reminded of that particular film in "16 Years of Alcohol," a first film by British writer, movie critic, ex-Skids band member, and now film director Richard Jobson.  Adapting his own semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, he cuts off an ambitious chunk of drama that sometimes makes it, sometimes falls a little short, but always reveals a behind-the-camera talent with an original vision.  </div> <bR> <div> The film explores the alcohol-ruined life of Frankie Mac (Kevin McKidd), who as an adult looks back at the failure of his life in different stages.  In the first, he revisits his childhood with a drunk and macho, womanizing father - and here's where the Davies stuff is more apparent - and through music and superb cinematography that is bathed in gripping color, a mood of sadness synergizes that is heartbreaking.  He remembers his early childhood, first drinks, gradual shift to troubled young adult and gang leader status, where the film employs a rogue-of-the-streets mentality not unlike something from that famous Anthony Burgess novel.  </div> <bR> <div> He later falls in love with a good woman, who of course represents a shot at redemption and the ability to feel love, trust and everything he's ever missed.  But of course, it's never that easy in a story like this, and Frankie, try as he might, just can't break free from the limitations and social problems that have plagued him since youth.  </div> <div> The film is particularly good at charting a life wasted by booze and lack of opportunity, and filled with regret that just doesn't seem to have a way out.   </div> <bR> <div> Jobson has a sure visual and aural style, and the music plays a significant role in the melancholia of the plot.  There's also an insightful narration that comes and goes throughout the film.  It's not in the same league as a powerhouse substance abuse story like "Trainspotting," as some have alluded, nor does it intend to be.  And at times, the stylization of the memories is a bit over the top and artifice-laden.  But as was said in Terence Davies' great film, "In memory, everything happens to music."  </div> <bR> <div> Jobson, in using autobiographical material here, has an impeccable memory and though "16 Years of Alcohol" is not a great film, it's an oddly affecting one anyway.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="591" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="587"><div> Lee Shoquist © 2003</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="587"><div> <A HREF="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@reelmoviecritic.com"><U><U>lee@reelmoviecritic.com</U></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>