Hallam Foe

Hallam Foe is a bit of a weirdo, played by Jamie Bell, who is obsessed with his dead mother. He lives with his dad, played by Ciaran Hinds, and his stepmother who he suspects of having murdered his mother. He seems to spend a lot of time pretending to be a badger, watching and spying on people from a distance. Told you it was odd.
When his step-mother comes up to his tree-house and confronts him with his diary, in which he's recorded his spying missions, he tries to strangle her but she grabs his crotch and they end up having sex on the floor. I was going to say you would wouldn’t you but even I’m not sure about that one. All very bizarre. A very odd way of handling the situation.

After that incident he leaves home and heads for Edinburgh, where he sees a complete stranger who eerily resembles his mother. He smooth talks her into giving him a job as a kitchen porter in the hotel where she is manageress. Then he starts to stalk her by taking to the rooftops and begins to regard the girl, Kate, played by Sophia Myles, as a potential shag. Well, in this case, you most certainly would, wouldn’t you.



He spies on her sex sessions, with her married lover, which she doesn't seem to enjoy very much.

So the film is a weird voyeuristic, eccentric drama come slightly incestuous love story with a bit of humour. Hallam gets away with things that would land most people in jail or get them institutionalised but he is also clever. When Kate’s thoroughly dislikeable lover rumbles him, he manages to track down the guy's apartment and smooth talk his wife and therefore blackmail him.



In the end Kate seduces Hallam but she too is a totally gaga. Typical girl I suppose. When she discovers his secrets, she is a tad pissed off but is she pissed off because he spied on her getting a rough seeing-to or because he's shagging her because she resembles his mother? She has him stood naked in front of her while she interrogates him about his behaviour. Quite how or why this happens, we’re not sure, the film doesn’t tell us. It seems however that his voyeurism doesn’t bother her; perhaps women find that sort of thing a big turn on. Is this where I’ve been going wrong?

There are far too many odd moments to mention and there's no happy ending, which is a bonus. It’s all complemented by a lively soundtrack provided by Domino records. I went straight out and bought the CD.

Well directed and acted. Jamie Bell has got all the credit but the whole cast puts in great performances. The film is quite plainly mad but don't hold that against it.