Hallam Foe (film)

Infobox Film
name = Hallam Foe


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = David Mackenzie
producer = Gillian Berrie
writer = (Peter Jinls (novel)
David Mackenzie
starring = Jamie Bell
Sophia Myles
Ciarán Hinds
Jamie Sives
Maurice Roëves
music = Matt Biffa (music consultant)
cinematography = Giles Nuttgens
editing = Colin Monie
distributor = The Film Factory
released = August 31, 2007
runtime = 95 min.
country = United Kingdom
language = English
website = http://www.thefilmfactory.co.uk/hallamfoe/
amg_id =
imdb_id = 0466816

"Hallam Foe" is a 2007 Scottish drama film directed by David Mackenzie based on the novel written by Peter Jinks.

Hallam Foe premiered at the Berlin Film Festival on February 16 2007 and competed for the Golden Bear for Best Motion Picture. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Music.

The film was released in the UK on 31 August 2007 and was given an 18 rating. It was released in the US on 5th September 2008 as "Mister Foe".

Plot

Hallam Foe is a teenage loner who learns about life at his father's estate near Peebles through his favorite pastime - voyeurism. Hallam is convinced that his stepmother Verity is responsible for his mother's death by drowning two years earlier. Hallam's sister leaves home to attend university, and it becomes clear that Verity and his father want Hallam to move on as well. Hallam initially refuses due to his suspicion of Verity, but she uses his diaries to blackmail him into leaving. To escape his father and stepmother, Hallam travels to Edinburgh.

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, Hallam sees Kate, who has a striking resemblance to his late mother. He manages to convince her to give him a job as a kitchen porter at a city centre hotel. Hallam makes his home in the clocktower of the hotel because of its vantage point over Kate's home in the old town of Edinburgh, where he can spy on her. He also spies on Kate through skylights on her roof.

Hallam learns that another senior hotel employee (Alasdair) is having an extra-marital affair with Kate. Alasdair then discovers Hallam's lookout in the clocktower. Hallam attempts to blackmail Alasdair with the knowledge of his adultery, but Alasdair dismisses him. Hallam retaliates by finding Alasdair's wife and thereby demonstrating the ability, if he wishes, to inform her of the affair, which forces Alasdair to back down.

Hallam eventually works his way up to being a front-of-house porter at the hotel. On his 18th birthday, Kate invites Hallam to have a few drinks after work for the first time legally. Whilst drunk, Hallam reveals his continuing love for his late mother. This seems to fascinate Kate, as she "likes creepy guys". A complex relationship starts to build between Hallam and Kate from this point.

Hallam's father and stepmother track Hallam down at this time because Hallam had reported his suspicions about his mother's death to the police in Edinburgh. They track him down because his father has run up significant debts and needs to develop some of the land on the estate, but Hallam is entitled to consultation under his mother's will. Hallam refuses to co-operate due to his suspicion of Verity.

Hallam's hatred of Verity consumes him entirely, and he initially attempts an action which he hopes will end the struggle, before his humanity begins to take over. Only at this point does his father reveal that he failed to prevent Hallam's mother from committing suicide. This revelation allows Hallam to realize that his anger is in fact with his mother for leaving him. This cathartic moment makes him able to move on for the first time.

Cast

Musical Score

Domino Records provided the entire score with bands including Franz Ferdinand with their song "Hallam Foe Dandelion Blow" along with songs from James Yorkston, u.n.p.o.c., King Creosote, Sons and Daughters, Four Tet and Psapp, amongst others. The soundtrack has won several awards, and is integral to the film, however, David Mackenzie stated at a Q + A session at the GFT preview screening, that he had 5 songs in mind that he wanted to use in the film, but only one survived in the place he wanted it, that being "Here on My Own" by u.n.p.o.c..

Title Sequence

The animated title sequence is by Scottish artist David Shrigley, who also does all the drawings and writing in Hallam's diaries. In the opening sequence, where Hallam is sketching, it is in fact David Shrigley you see.

External links

* [http://www.getyourpeople.com "the Hallam Foe blog"]
*imdb title|id=0466816|title=Hallam Foe
* [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hallam_foe/ "Mister Foe"] at Rotten Tomatoes
* [http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:360025 "Hallam Foe"] at allmovie
* [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article2350364.ece The Sunday Times Film Review: "Hallam Foe"]