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16 Years Of Alcohol (2004)
Released By: Tartan Films   Rating: R   In Theaters: 7/30/2004
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Studio: Tartan Films
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Richard Jobson
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: 7/30/2004
Home Video Release: 5/24/2005
Cast: Kevin McKidd, Susan Lynch, Laura Fraser
Published ID: 27776
UPC: 842498020128,
Plot: Scottish writer and former vocalist for the punk band the Skids, Richard Jobson makes his directorial debut with 16 Years of Alcohol, the stylized psychological drama based on his own semi-autobiographical novel. Through voice-over narration and various flashback methods, troubled young man Frankie Mac (Kevin McKidd) recalls his childhood (played by Iain De Caestaecker as a boy) growing up in working-class Edinburgh. In the '50s, his father (Lewis McCloud) was a hard-drinking good-timer and his long-suffering mother (Lisa May Cooper) eventually gave up on the family. As a teenager in the '70s, the violent Frankie falls in with a street gang and tries to clean up to impress record store clerk Helen (Laura Fraser). After some fights with his old street thug enemy Miller (Stuart Sinclair Blyth), Frankie makes an another attempt to stop drinking at an AA meeting, where he meets Mary (Susan Lynch). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Boring
Added 7/15/2009

I ordered the wrong video on accident but thought "oh what the heck, I'll watch it anyway..." What a mistake, this is a B movie from England or somewhere. It's full of violence and there is nothing recovery oriented about it. Save your money order something else.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Bleak and Gripping
Added 10/7/2007

In 16 Years of Alcohol the viewer gets a look into the life of an alcoholic skinhead (McKidd), his troubled family life, his induction into the drinking culture, his houligan friends, two bitter-sweet romances, and ultimately his move away from being an alcohlic bad-boy.

At the core of this movie is Kevin McKidd, definately one of the most talented and versitle actors today. McKidd takes us through his character Franks life with zeal rarely seen (sorry Brad Pitt could never touch McKidd). McKidd can be hideously ugly and violent in one scence, stunningly beautiful the next. Throughout the film we are repulsed by Frankie, learn to love him, and (spoiler warning) hope the beating he recieves at the hands of his old "friends" acts as a final catharsis for his old life (instead of him getting killed). As he was in Bedrooms and Hallways, Rome, Dog Soldiers, and Journeyman, McKidd is infinitely fascinating to watch, and certainly the best actor out there today.

5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
Descent movie, but could be just a little bit more
Added 8/7/2006

This is very similar to it's billing. A slight touch of trainspotting with a huge helping of A Clockwork Orange. A group of houligans let by Frankie stir up trouble in a scotish town. This movie focuses on the childhood, and then growth of frankie after "16 years of alcohol". This movie is told in a round, from end to beginning and back again. Interesting perspective, but not quite as gritty as it could have been. This did not give me the trainspotting tweak, or the bite of the Ultraviolence from a clockwork orange. However, does give you a slight flavor of what an Alcoholic does deal with, and what a troubled childhood brings with it. Worth while to see for fans of independent films, and independent thought.
4 out of 6 people found this helpful.
Doesn't quite reach what I feel it's goal was
Added 6/26/2006

Well, the begining comes off as a wannabe A Clock Work Orange and just doesn't come off quite as shocking or brutal as Clock Work did. Eventually you understand that this is a very personal story and pretty much soley focuses on the main character who does a great job at acting. However, the over all film did not leave me begging for more or even a second watch. It attempts to be brutal yet the content is honestly far from it. If your going into this film with the hopes of endless bar brawls and sheer mayhem on the streets then I'd look else where or just watch A Clock Work Orange again. I just feel the film did not reach it's full potential. If you want an emotional and personal story about one mans journey to become "a better person" then have at it.

E

7 out of 8 people found this helpful.
Disturbing, yet gripping
Added 5/2/2006

I'm Scottish, therefore I drink. The first time I saw this film I found it disturbing, yet gripping. The second time you notice the Ska (Reggae like) soundtrack even more. Excellent acting and a theme that you can lift your mug to.
4 out of 7 people found this helpful.
Boring
Added 7/15/2009

I ordered the wrong video on accident but thought "oh what the heck, I'll watch it anyway..." What a mistake, this is a B movie from England or somewhere. It's full of violence and there is nothing recovery oriented about it. Save your money order something else.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Bleak and Gripping
Added 10/7/2007

In 16 Years of Alcohol the viewer gets a look into the life of an alcoholic skinhead (McKidd), his troubled family life, his induction into the drinking culture, his houligan friends, two bitter-sweet romances, and ultimately his move away from being an alcohlic bad-boy.

At the core of this movie is Kevin McKidd, definately one of the most talented and versitle actors today. McKidd takes us through his character Franks life with zeal rarely seen (sorry Brad Pitt could never touch McKidd). McKidd can be hideously ugly and violent in one scence, stunningly beautiful the next. Throughout the film we are repulsed by Frankie, learn to love him, and (spoiler warning) hope the beating he recieves at the hands of his old "friends" acts as a final catharsis for his old life (instead of him getting killed). As he was in Bedrooms and Hallways, Rome, Dog Soldiers, and Journeyman, McKidd is infinitely fascinating to watch, and certainly the best actor out there today.

5 out of 5 people found this helpful.
Descent movie, but could be just a little bit more
Added 8/7/2006

This is very similar to it's billing. A slight touch of trainspotting with a huge helping of A Clockwork Orange. A group of houligans let by Frankie stir up trouble in a scotish town. This movie focuses on the childhood, and then growth of frankie after "16 years of alcohol". This movie is told in a round, from end to beginning and back again. Interesting perspective, but not quite as gritty as it could have been. This did not give me the trainspotting tweak, or the bite of the Ultraviolence from a clockwork orange. However, does give you a slight flavor of what an Alcoholic does deal with, and what a troubled childhood brings with it. Worth while to see for fans of independent films, and independent thought.
4 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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