Pure **** (2002, Harry Eden, Molly Parker, Keira Knightley, David Wenham, Geraldine McEwan, Karl Johnson) – Classic Movie Review 2687

Harry Eden does a commendably adult job in his first role as Paul, a 10-year-old kid who tries to look after his sickly mother (Molly Parker) and younger brother after his dad’s death. But things don’t go well as mum is a junkie who won’t stay off the heroin.

When Mel’s friend and fellow user Lenny (David Wenham) dies, Paul must confront the fear that his mother too may abandon him too. He befriends a waitress (Keira Knightley) who helps him cope with the tough situation.

Director Gillies MacKinnon’s 2002 British drama is grim but involving. Alison Hume’s script, MacKinnon’s direction and especially the acting do really make you care about the fate of the characters.

Eden is quite the little star, Parker impresses, while Geraldine McEwan and Karl Johnson are also excellent as the grandmother and granddad.

Also in the cast are Vinnie Hunter, Nitin Chandra Ganatra, Levi Hayes, Rupert Proctor, Marsha Thomason, Tyler Smart, Bronson Webb, Mona Hammond, Julia Deakin, Mia Soteriou, Robert Hands, Gary Lewis and Kate Ashfield.

MacKinnon is known for  A Simple Twist of Fate (1994), Trojan Eddie (1996), Small Faces (1996), Regeneration [aka Behind the Lines] (1997) and Hideous Kinky (1998).

Eden beat 2,500 boys to be cast after auditioning 14 times.  He is also known for playing Nibs in Peter Pan (2003) and the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist (2005).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2687

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