Customer Reviews

Hollow Reed [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is astonishing what a good script, good acting and good all-round moviemaking can do. On paper this film looks like one of those awful made for TV "based on a true story" tear jerkers, with two exceptions: the mother isn't the hero and the father is gay. Another potential giveaway as to the film's quality might be that the leads are not played by Melissa Gilbert or Susan Dey. It is, in fact, a British film made for Channel Four and, like this sender's "Beautiful Thing", it is a high-quality affair.

It would have been very easy to turn this film into another cliche. The fact that it isn't one is, in fact, almost unbelievable. The script is largely to thank for this, avoiding stereotyping as far as possible (some degree is inevitable) and not dividing characters into "goodies" and "baddies". Sure, you'd have to be dead not to love Martin Donovan's character (he sports a very convincing British accent for the role), but even the horrible, child-battering, evil boyfriend (Ian Hart) has various aspects to his character, which allow one to to swallow the fact that the mother (a brilliantly restrained performance from Joely Richardson) is willing to give him a second chance.

Maybe the most refreshing aspect about the film is that it does not for a moment try to preach. It is far from politically correct and shows that gay men can be childish and insufferable, as much as they can be normal run-of-the-mill type fellows. We are spared the "gym queen health freak" image as well as the camp image of gays by Donovan and Jason Flemyng (although the latter does get to show off a rather cute butt). The child, played by remarkable youngster Sam Bould, is neither cute and precocious, nor too obviously traumatised; another saving grace.

The film is about various things: child abuse, divorce, sexual fulfilment, sexual identity (both straight and gay), relationships, commitment; the list is long. It is complex, intelligent and features one of the most convincing trial scenes I have ever seen on film. A superb achievement by director Angela Pope and her (perhaps surprisingly) largely female supporting crew.

Angela Pope scores high points with the story of Martin Wyatt, a divorced gay man, played extremely well by Martin Donovan, who suspects that his nine year old son is suffering child abuse at the hands of his ex-wife's live in boyfriend. When Martin, a doctor, decides to go for custody of his son, he is suddenly under scrutiny from the British court system. This film not only deals on the subject of child abuse and at what lengths a parent will do to protect a child; it is also an examination of still ever-present homophobia when dealing with a parent who happens to be gay. It is a thought provoking and stirring drama that will stay with you for some time. If you like substance to your movies, I strongly recommend Hollow Reed.

Warm and touching,proving that gay fathers do have many fears in countries that are bigotted against them, but the strenth of this father overcomes the fears and makes him a stonger person for protecting his son. It is a postive look at gay life you won't regret seeing it

I have never seen a film which so well captures the terror that is in the heart of a child who lives in fear of an adult caretaker. The director has worked a miracle here. She has enabled us to see the world through the eyes of an abused child, and it is not easy to watch, but it is essential viewing for all who want to understand child abuse.

The scene in which Jason Flemyng's character convinces his girlfriend to let him back into the house, where he will continue to abuse her son, is one of the most devastating scenes I have ever seen. The betrayal which the Mom does to her son... just beyond words. And so very real. This is an important film and it should be seen by everyone.

The entire cast is fantastic. But I do think that the director is the reason this film is so miraculously brilliant.

This film explores and scores, the concept behind what is a good roll model. A Father who is in every aspect a good and responsable parent living with his lover, is considered less fit that an abusive home where the child is harmed by the boyfriend of his Mother. The acting is exceptional and the script credible. It is not an uplifting film but it is one of the better films that removes a few typical cliches and allows you to see a better example of a gay man and his lover. A good movie that most should enjoy and an excellant movie to show for some one wanting to better understand differant perspectives. A good film for those getting comfortable with themselves.

The acting was superb. The camera work was awesome. The plot was extremely well developed. What more could you want? It rates as one of only two movies I've ever seen which I would consider a '10 out of 10', the other being Contact.