A coming-of-age tale—albeit a very strange, quirky, and fascinating one—Mister Foe stars Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) as Hallam Foe, the 17-year-old son of a wealthy Scottish businessman, who retreats into solitude after the death of his beloved mother and his father's remarriage to the woman Hallam suspects killed her. Hiding out in a treehouse on the family estate, Hallam surreptitiously watches the locals, but after a traumatic, sexually-charged encounter with his stepmother, he flees to Edinburgh, taking a job in the kitchen of a posh hotel in order to spy from a bell tower on personnel manager Kate (Sophia Myles), who reminds him of his mother. A curious menage à trois follows involving Hallam, Kate, and her married boyfriend. On the surface, this may sound too weird, but Mister Foe is presented with a surprisingly deft hand by writer-director David Mackenzie (Young Adam), whose screenplay could have easily taken on a dark, brooding tone, but instead boasts a peculiarly jovial quality. Hats off to Bell, who nicely balances his character's obsessive drive with a dose of wide-eyed naiveté. Mister Foe will be too odd for some viewers, but should appeal to the more adventurous. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
Mister Foe
Magnolia, 96 min., R, DVD: $26.98, Nov. 11 Volume 23, Issue 6
Mister Foe
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