Deviating from the mainstream films, "Young Adam" is something of a rarity. It is poignant, erotic and lifelike in it's viewing.
Adapted from the novel by Alexander Trocchi, "Young Adam" chronicles the life of Joe Taylor (Ewan McGregor), a nomadic drifter working on a barge. The film is narrated from Joe's personal perspective, which works quite admirably. At points, you feel like you are actually Joe, seeing the world as he sees it.
As mentioned, Joe is a drifter, a man with a past whose sexual drive constantly lands him in bed with the numerous women that he meets, in-particularly Ella Gault (Tilda Swinton), the wife of his current boss (Peter Mullan). Joe's "conquests" are shown in vivid detail, something that is not seen in many of today's films. This in itself makes for compelling viewing.
If you have not read the book, you will find yourself asking, "who is Joe?". It's a good question as his initial identity remains shrouded in a thin veil of mystery. The discovery of a dead woman named Cathie Dimly (Emily Mortimer) floating in the murky Scottish waters adds to the enigma that is Joe. Does he know more about her than he is letting on? Did he kill her?
By the end of the film, the character of Joe Taylor is as enigmatic as he was at the start. Maybe even more so. David Mackenzie has succeeded in making a truly riveting, haunting film.
Adapted from the novel by Alexander Trocchi, "Young Adam" chronicles the life of Joe Taylor (Ewan McGregor), a nomadic drifter working on a barge. The film is narrated from Joe's personal perspective, which works quite admirably. At points, you feel like you are actually Joe, seeing the world as he sees it.
As mentioned, Joe is a drifter, a man with a past whose sexual drive constantly lands him in bed with the numerous women that he meets, in-particularly Ella Gault (Tilda Swinton), the wife of his current boss (Peter Mullan). Joe's "conquests" are shown in vivid detail, something that is not seen in many of today's films. This in itself makes for compelling viewing.
If you have not read the book, you will find yourself asking, "who is Joe?". It's a good question as his initial identity remains shrouded in a thin veil of mystery. The discovery of a dead woman named Cathie Dimly (Emily Mortimer) floating in the murky Scottish waters adds to the enigma that is Joe. Does he know more about her than he is letting on? Did he kill her?
By the end of the film, the character of Joe Taylor is as enigmatic as he was at the start. Maybe even more so. David Mackenzie has succeeded in making a truly riveting, haunting film.