Pure (2002)

Such is life

Starring: Harry Eden, Vinnie Hunter, Molly Parker, David Wenham, Nitin Ganatra, Levi Hayes, Keira Knightley, Rupert Procter, Bronson Webb, Marsha Thomason, Tyler Smart, Geraldine McEwan, Karl Johnson, Gary Lewis

Director: Gillies Mackinnon

Running Time: 96 minutes

US MPAA rating: N/A
UK BBFC rating: 18
Drama

On DVD

On DVD

'Pure' is one of those DVDs that forces you to sit through a string of trailers before it allows you to actually get to the movie. A word of advice to whoever was in charge of making that decision: when the subject matter is as bleak as it often is here, it's not a great idea to put the viewer in a bad mood before the movie even starts.

Despite that little annoyance, what follows once the thing eventually starts is a surprisingly original piece of work from Glaswegian director Gillies Mackinnon. Impressive ankle-biter Harry Eden takes centre-stage as Paul, a 10-year-old East Londoner who, after years of thinking his mum (Molly Parker) just takes "medicine", discovers she's actually a heroine addict.

Junkie flicks aren't exactly the newest thing on the block, but what differentiates this one from the average is the realism of how the situation is handled, along with the notable avoidance of clichés. There are also some very good performances, with young Eden's stirring display matched by turns from David "Faramir" Wenham as the thinking man's pimp, and a pre-

DVD Extras: No extras except for that force-fed succession of trailers. Extras: 0 out of 10

It's Got: Possibly more references to West Ham United than you'll see in any production not involving Alf Garnett.

It Needs: To dump the irritating Children's Film Foundation-style soundtrack.

Alternatives: My Name Is Joe, Trainspotting

Summary: Well-acted, but not particularly memorable. Harry Eden's one to look out for in the future. Overall Score: 6 out of 10

Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 21th December 2003