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drinks Monday 3 November 08
Film - Young Adam
Verdict: Death, sex and custard
Edinburgh - UGC7 - August 03
Coal barge Atlantic Eve motors the canals of 1950s Glasgow city and countryside, while randy coxswain Joe Taylor rogers Ellie Gault below as her bairn Les Gault sleeps, and husband captain Jim Gault steers above - though Joe and Jim have pulled ashore the dead (almost naked) body of a young woman, which Joe seems to know too much about.
She's Cathie Dimly, Joe's former lover - a secret unknown to the others. The police arraign a man for her murder - penalty death. Is Joe guilty or innocent? Will he save another man from the rope?
'British film' can send a dull tremor down the spine, particularly when it's gritty and northern (in this case Scottish) too. But Young Adam's a crackling delight of intrigue, passion, and a great deal of spectacular sex. Young Adam will do for custard what Last Tango In Paris did for butter.
The cinematography of Young Adam (by Giles Nuttgens) captivates. There's a quality to lighting (a pub scene, and the interiors of the tiny boat cabin) that suggests a candle-lit renaissance painting.
Music (by David Byrne) is used with elegant skill, both in its mood (the court scene), and the matching of strands of music to particular actions. This subtly helps understanding of the complex and effective picture editing (by Colin Monie) of Joe's thoughts, actions and flashbacks.
Laurence Dorman's expressive production design locates the film precisely. Each detail of design combines to produce a mood, that's hauntingly consistent and emotionally powerful. There's fine art direction by Stuart Rose.
Ewan McGregor (Joe) broods, pouts and fucks magnificently. He carries the intensitity of the film in his face, seen extensively in close-up. Tilda Swindon presents an Ella of conviction, a stubborn and determined person with strong appetites and sensuality.
Therese Bradley's cameo as trollop bereaved sister Gwen is a true comedy delight, and a fine piece of acting (and fabulous costume design by Jacqueline Durran, with hair & makeup by Meg Speirs). Jack McElhone's a human and doughty Jim, the perfect counterpoint to Ewan McGregor's Joe, the male duo that forms one of the script's central axes.
The script is written with subtlety by director David Mackenzie from an original novel by Alexander Trocchi. It's a remarkable tale, a truly engaging story that's unpredictable even in its small details (ownership of the boat). Crucially, the ending is impossible to predict. There's a sharp knowledge of human relationships in the thinking behind Young Adam, from script to direction. David Mackenzie's concentration keeps the film exactly true to itself. He builds and sustains its brooding intensity - and the consistent (and therefore unpredictable) fecklessness of its hero.
Emily Mortimer delights as Cathie, a character to whom she gives depth, passion, and a persuasive vulnerability. That and the custard - Young Adam's legacy to cinematic history.
Cast Credits (source IMDB): Cast (in credits order) Ewan McGregor (Joe Taylor). Tilda Swinton (Ella Gault). Peter Mullan (Les Gault). Emily Mortimer (Cathie Dimly). Jack McElhone (Jim Gault). Therese Bradley (Gwen). Ewan Stewart (Daniel Gordon). Stuart McQuarrie (Bill). Pauline Turner (Connie). Alan Cooke (Bob M'bussi). Rory McCann (Sam).
Company Credits (source IMDB): Directed by David Mackenzie. Writer - David Mackenzie from novel by Alexander Trocchi. Gillian Berrie, Stephan Mallmann, Peter Watson - Associate Producers. Nick O'Hagan, Jim Reeve, Alexandra Stone - Co-Producers. Jeremy Thomas - Producer. Original Music - David Byrne. Cinematography - Giles Nuttgens.
Film Editing - Colin Monie. Casting - Des Hamilton. Production Design - Laurence Dorman. Art Direction - Stuart Rose. Set Decoration by Judy Farr. Costume Design by Jacqueline Durran. Meg Speirs, Hair Designer, Makeup Designer. Michael Campbell, Beverley Syme - Unit Managers. Janet Riddoch - Unit Production Manager.
Michael Elliott (as Mike Elliott) - 1st Asst Director. Ben Johnson - Asst Director. Anthony Wilcox - 2nd
Asst Director. Piero Jamieson - Props. Andy Thomson - Asst Art Director. Tim Alban, Colin Nicolson - Sound.
Rory Farnan - Dialogue Editor. Mike Grimes - Sound Effects Editor. Jeremy Price - Supervising Sound Editor.
Graham Hills - Special Effects Foreman. Rowley Irlam - Stunt Double:Ewan McGregor. Lewis Buchan - Focus Puller. Stephen Burt - Location Manager. Jennifer Cargey - Production Runner.
Dorothy Connolley - Script Supervisor. Kahleen Crawford - Casting Assistant. Florence Larsonneur -
Business Affairs: Recorded Pictures Company. Andy Long - Gaffer. Iain MacLean - Location Assistant.
Clare Oliver - Post-Production Supervisor. Ciara Parkes - Unit Publicist.
END
John Park
reviewed Tuesday 12 August / Edinburgh Film Festival / UGC7
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
