38 out of 38 people found the following review helpful:

Thank God For The Flashbacks

FilmaticPro from , 29th May, 2008

I'm a fan of Daniel Craig, but unfortunately I found his performance, as the faded Hollywood star extremely disappointing. With no links on how he changed from a young tearaway to a successful actor?? Luckily Craig isn't in much of the film. As ridiculous as it sounds, the flashbacks to his younger years, save the movie, with brilliant performances from Harry Eden, playing the young Daniel Craig and a super sexy turn from Felicity Jones. I do have to admit that the film grew on me, even if it took a few days to sink in. There's a brilliant soundtrack, some interesting storylines and the whole look and feel of the movie is captivating. Definitely worth a watch, 70's Glam nostalgia is brilliant and its all pretty damn good to look at.

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16 out of 17 people found the following review helpful:

Story Line....?

ShariLeone from from UK, 22nd September, 2008

Is there actually a point to this film? It jumps from what starts out as an 'o.k' film, but then goes to the 'flashbacks' and seems like an entirely new film has started. Not many links to either story and a dull ending.

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14 out of 14 people found the following review helpful:

INCONSEQUENTIALLY DIVERTING

hunkydomste from from Liverpool, 22nd November, 2008

One thing is for certain: If you enjoyed a naked view of Daniel Craig's bum in Tomb Raider you will get a lot more of the same in Flashbacks Of A Fool. It's enough nakedness all around to make you go 'OOH, James.......' For those who look well past the matters of the flesh there is a somewhat emotional storyline here, a tale of descending stardom and realisation, a return of the heart to where it all began and a subsequent visit to the long abandoned place called home. It is nice to see Daniel Craig do something other than Bond (or even action movies in general) an his portrayal of Joe, the has-been-big-perpetually-wasted film star is perfectly acceptable, alas nothing to write home about. Ahem... The 'flashbacks' (more of a retelling of events in Joe's youth) are what gives the film more depth. Cudos must be given for casting Harry Eden as teenager Joe, who is very credible as a young Daniel Craig both in looks as in talent. It is the women though who rule this movie, namely Jodhi May as sexy seductress, Felicity Jones as young Ruth (the 'Roxy Music scene' with her dancing definitely a memorable one) and even Keeley Hawes, who delivers a short but perfect stint as grown-up version of Joe's sister. Flashbacks Of A Fool is by no means one of the great Bristish movies and if you watched it as the highlight of a Friday or Saturday night you might feel a bit robbed. However, watch it on a Sunday afternoon and let yourself get wrapped up in all the good bits and somewhat warming emotions and you're much more likely to enjoy it. SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED * SHERRY BABY * THE MOTHER * JERRY MAGUIRE

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14 out of 15 people found the following review helpful:

Absolute twaddle!

Cloughie from , 23rd September, 2008

Give me back my hour and forty minutes! Sentimental (not even good sentimental) pants! Saw the preview with Felicity Jones singing a great Roxy Music track and thought 'that looks good' big mistake. I read a review that said 'blistering glam rock soundtrack' I think there are 2 tracks, Bowie's Jean Genie and the Roxy one (title escapes me but it's on their first album).

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Less flashback, more fool...

A Customer from london, 3rd March, 2010

The first 30 min of this film - set in LA about a downward spiralling British actor (Daniel Craig as Joe) in the lead - are rivetting - beautifully shot, expertly paced, great dialog and locations. Loved it. Yet when we move to the flashback section and return to Joe's childhood - this begins to fall apart - and feel distinctly like 2 different films. As strong as the beginning was - especially the repore between DC and his housekeeper (great stuff) the 2nd half just didn't keep the same pace, emotional interest, dialog, continuity or strength of acting. It was not in any way as captivating as the start - the 'flashback' portion of the film unfolds is a disappointment... When Daniel Craig finally returns for the last few minutes he's been away too long. The resulting drama feels forced, the ending falls flat. Watch it for the first 30 minutes, but forget the flashback, would have ultimately preferred more fool(!)

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A Sunday film: Strangely Watchable but Very Unexciting

Squeaky from , 24th February, 2010

This film was, to put it concisely, blandly bizarre. It certainly had a feel of 'trying to be too risky for its own good'. The flashback to the past has the awkward waiting-for-something-to-happen sensation familiar from life-as-it-is films (e.g. the Good Girl or Lost in Translation) but other people seem to like that. I also took nothing away from the experience of watching the film. At no point is there an epiphany of 'Oh, so that's why his this way.' In fact, going by the Hollywood mental health handbook, I'd say the character is more likely to develop a fear of women, sex, selfishness and indulgence. However, it was possible to sit through the entire film without feeling (or, at least, noticing that I was)bored. A film for a wet Sunday afternoon, perhaps?

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Stick with it

Mkango from , 11th February, 2010

I can see why some people might give up on this movie, but please don't. The flashback sequences are really good with the young D.Craig character excellent. I kept hoping for the adult Daniel Craig character to redeem himself somehow - wait for the end.

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film of two halves

A Customer from New Malden, 13th January, 2010

A strange film, but there are some enjoyable elements: the humour, good performances from class British actors, the 70s clothes and music. Not sure why reviewers are raving about the great soundtrack - only 2 songs are played. The flashback to Craig's childhood is enjoyable and involving, but I did see a couple of plotlines coming, so it was quite predictable. Like other reviewers, I did not feel that the boyhood relationship with Ruth had been intense enough for him to have cared about it years later. There are some , and on the whole, I enjoyed it on a snowy January night.

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