Young Adam Movie Review 2003

Writer/director Mackenzie uses the grim backdrop of 1950s Scotland for the richly dark character drama of his second feature. McGregor is Joe, a sexually charged but emotionally and morally devoid transient who finds work, room, and board on a barge owned by Les (Mullan) and his wife Ella (Swinton) who share a loveless marriage. When the body of a young woman washes up and is fished out by the barge-dwellers it sets off various reactions in all three. Joe seduces Ella under the nose of the emotionally repressed Les and a series of flashbacks reveal more about Joe's past and his relationship with Cathie (Mortimer), a young woman who reminds him of the deceased. Moody, noirish and visually engaging with stellar portrayals by all. Based on a novel by Alexander Trocchi.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on DVD
Running time 98 minutes.
Originally from French, British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Crime Drama, Scotland, Psycho-Thriller, Erotic Thrillers, Sex & Sexuality, Sex on the Beach, Adultery

Screenplay

David Mackenzie

Cast

Ewan McGregor, Tilda Swinton, Peter Mullan, Emily Mortimer, Alan Cooke, Jack McElhone

Cinematography

Giles Nuttgens

Director

David Mackenzie

Music

David Byrne

Other

Colin Nicolson, Tim Alban, Colin Monie, Stuart Rose, Jacqueline Durran, Laurence Dorman

Producer

Jeremy Thomas, Recorded Pictures Company, HanWay, Scottish Screen