Monday 10 November 2008

Daniel Craig diversifies his roles very well


Many people are in greatly and widely anticipating Daniel Craig's latest flick as James Bond on Quantum Of Solace. Will he better his role from his first stint as 007 in Casino Royale? Well, before you get to find out, you will gleefully revel in a gem of another of his films that will be released this coming Friday, titled Flashbacks Of A Fool. I have just come back from watching it and was impressed with the amazing contrast to his character as James Bond.

Flashbacks Of A Fool revolves around an introspective look at an ageing Hollywood actor's life. Leading a meanless life, filled with women, drugs and all other trimmings of the famous and fortunate, Joe Scott, played by Daniel Craig, flashes back to his life as a teenager when all terribly went wrong. A tragic moment involving his teen best friend forces him to re-live a part of his life he would rather forget about, but his guilt proves too strong to dismiss a horrific and regrettable incident that ran him away from home. Realising that he would never be at peace unless his conscious is eased, he travels back home to face his demons.

Daniel Craig proves that he is an amazing actor with an amazing ability to tranform from the suave, commanding, and hard special agent to a sweet, sensitive and fault-laced gentleman. I was sold on him when I watched him do magic on Layer Cake, even before he was selected to play the latest Bond. His flawed character on Flashbacks Of A Fool in credible, evoking feelings of symphathy, compassion and understanding for his journey through life. The character development for the main charcaters here is also fantastic, resulting in a well-put-together story. Although there is a great deal of nudity in the film, it's done tastefully and greatly aligned to the characters and the story, therefore forgivable.

I was happy to see an appearance from rapper Eve playing opposite Daniel Craig, however small her part was. She played it quite well, I must say, she was very convincing in her character. Another impressive performance came from Mark Strong who I've just recently seen on Body Of Lies. His versatality shines through his role as Joe's agent who is brutally honest about his client being seen by the industry and the public as a washed up actor. Harry Eden, the young man who plays the young Joe, also sizzles in his performance.

This is an absolutely awesome film. It will make you laugh, and also make you cry; make you angry and also make you symphathise. It's really a pity that the rest of the country won't get to see it on the big screen as it only opens at cinemas in Cape Town this coming Friday, 14th November 2008. But hey, you can catch it on DVD when it is released in that format.

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