You know you've hit rock bottom when even your agent blows you off, which is what happens near the beginning of writer-director Baillie Walsh's Flashbacks of a Fool. Seems actor Joe Scott (Daniel Craig, slumming between stints as Agent 007) used to be a big deal in Hollywood, with the designer Malibu crib, alcohol and coke addictions, and bimbo girlfriends to show for it. Now, Joe is jolted out of his solipsistic bummer tent when news arrives that his closest childhood chum has died. Joe goes back home to England for the funeral, whereupon an extended flashback kicks in, featuring young Joe (Harry Eden) growing up in his picturesque seaside town (the film's considerable shortcomings do not include John Mathieson's cinematography). We learn Joe was as randy and hopelessly naïve as a lot of teenage boys; that he had the hots for Ruth (initially played by Felicity Jones, and later by Claire Forlani), a sexy young thing with whom he shared a love of Roxy Music and Bowie; that he readily succumbed to the advances of Evelyn (Jodhi May), the older married woman who lived next door; and that when a specific tragedy struck, Joe handled it by leaving town. Unfortunately, we never see why Joe became such a big star in the first place, or have much reason to care. Flashbacks of a Fool has its moments, but not enough to leave the viewer either shaken or stirred. Optional. [Note: DVD extras include brief cast and crew interviews, TV spots, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an unremarkable film. (S. Graham)
Flashbacks of a Fool
Anchor Bay, 114 min., R, DVD: $26.99 Volume 24, Issue 1
Flashbacks of a Fool
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: