Hallam Foe (2007)

Director:

David Mackenzie

Writers:

Peter Jinks (novel)
David Mackenzie (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 August 2007 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Who is Hallam Foe?

Plot:

Hallam's talent for spying on people reveals his darkest fears-and his most peculiar desires. Driven to expose the true cause of his mother's death, he instead finds himself searching the rooftops of the city for love.

Plot Keywords:

Rooftop | Kitchen | Hotel | Scotland | Stepmother Stepson Relationship

Awards:

8 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jamie Bell	...	Hallam
Ruth Milne	...	Jenny (as Ruthie Milne)
John Paul Lawler	...	Carl
Claire Forlani	...	Verity
Lucy Holt	...	Lucy
Ciarán Hinds	...	Julius
Malcolm Shields	...	Kilt Man
John Comerford	...	Grumpy Glaswegian
Gerry Cleary	...	Grumpy Glaswegian
Paul Blair	...	Raincoat Man
Neil McKinven	...	Police Officer
Sophia Myles	...	Kate
Jamie Sives	...	Alasdair
Maurice Roëves	...	Raymond (as Maurice Roeves)
Stuart Hepburn	...	Police Inspector

Also Known As:

Mister Foe (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and language.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:18 | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:12 | Germany:12 (re-rating on appeal) | Germany:16 (original rating) | Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA (2007) | Sweden:11 | South Korea:18 | Singapore:R21 | Hungary:16 | USA:R | Argentina:16

Filming Locations:

Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Company:

Film4

Trivia:

Although much of Hallam Foe is filmed in central Edinburgh, the film avoids showing Edinburgh Castle, which is visible from many of the real life locations.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Hallam works in the Balmoral Hotel at the East end of Princes Street, yet all shots of the staff entrance to the hotel are clearly the Caledonian Hotel at the West end of the Street.

Soundtrack:

Track of the Cat

Heartfelt drama with a terrific angry young man

Since Hallam's (Jamie Bell) mother died two years ago, he has detached himself from life, watching (even spying) the people from a distance, going as far as breaking in and searching their closets. He despises his stepmother (a surprisingly matured Claire Forlani) who he suspects of having murdered his mom. So Hallam takes off from the Scottish countryside to Glasgow, where he prowls the roofs, and finds a girl eerily resembling his mother. Revealing more of the story wouldn't do it justice. Jamie Bell masterfully plays an angry young man, reminiscing of Holden Caulfield. The film creates magical sequences, sports a wry northern humour, and doesn't shy away from exploring the feeling of loss and pain. Although the plot background relies too much on textbook psychology, HALLAM FOE remains a kindhearted, lively drama beyond the streamline tearjerkers. 7/10