Flashbacks of a Fool

R

2008

1h 53m

Drama

List

41%

Tomatometer

22 Reviews

51%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

When washed-up British actor and drug addict Joe Scott (Daniel Craig) learns that his best friend, Boots (Max Deacon), has died, he reflects on his past as he travels back to his hometown on the English coast. Most of all, he thinks of the tragedy he caused when he became involved with two women at the same time: older Evelyn (Jodhi May) and young Ruth (Felicity Jones), a girl Boots also liked. Joe arrives too late for Boots' funeral, but he gains a chance to make things right with Ruth.

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Critics Consensus

Despite Daniel Craig's earnest efforts, Flashbacks of a Fool suffers from an ambitious but underdeveloped script.

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Fionnuala Halligan

Screen International

Flashbacks flounders in the final third.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Variety

Whiile pic doesn't exactly feel like a vanity project, its weak script might have kept it forever in development hell if debutant writer-helmer Baillie Walsh weren't the topliner's good buddy.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Kyle Smith

New York Post

The bizarre secret isn't nearly interesting enough to justify the long buildup to it, and since it amounts to bad luck it doesn't really reveal anything about the actor, anyway.

Rated: 1.5/4

Oct 17, 2008

Full Review

Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

If you go into this viewing knowing what the story gets right, it’s easy to appreciate the English quaint and harrowing lessons.

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

Louise Keller

Urban Cinefile

Charismatic Daniel Craig plays Joe Scott, a washed up movie star, addicted to a misspent life of sex, drugs and uncool behaviour

Mar 21, 2009

Full Review

Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

... an uninspired rearrangement of familiar elements, with little emotional force to justify the entire project.

Nov 12, 2008

Full Review

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neil t

This is a fabulous film, a great story and top class performances ....

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/23

Full Review

Lawl B

One of my all time favourite films, great acting and the music is sublime.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Tim R

I liked this movie - story is interesting and dialog it leaves room for the imagination.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/20/22

Full Review

lil j

A perfect Jewel of a film about the human heart and ties that bind. it is well cast, extremely well acted by all and beautifully shot. these are not cookie cutter characters like James Bond. it has some thing for everyone. Handsome burned out movie stars, nervous mothers of teenagers, The sensitive kid in town who is following his Creative instincts which bring him fame and in the process he leaves behind his first love and possibly one true love. it is one of the best love stories ever end and unlike most American films there is not a perfect ending. It is neither happy nor unhappy. it leaves you asking questions about your own choices in life and about desire and redemption. The critics are wrong. It needs to be watched not only with the mind engaged but the heart engaged. Which leads one to wonder if being a critic precludes having a heart. Also it really made me like Dan Craig for taking the money from his first Bond film and making this little gem with a friend. Enough said.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

colin m

Past and present. A great movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie ,what a movie should be starting with a good story and great acting

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

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Baillie Walsh

Director

Daniel Craig

Joe Scot

Eve

Ophelia Franklin

Harry Eden

Teenage Joe Scot

Olivia Williams

Grace Scot

Helen McCrory

Peggy Tickell

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Synopsis

When washed-up British actor and drug addict Joe Scott (Daniel Craig) learns that his best friend, Boots (Max Deacon), has died, he reflects on his past as he travels back to his hometown on the English coast. Most of all, he thinks of the tragedy he caused when he became involved with two women at the same time: older Evelyn (Jodhi May) and young Ruth (Felicity Jones), a girl Boots also liked. Joe arrives too late for Boots' funeral, but he gains a chance to make things right with Ruth.

Director: Baillie Walsh
Producer: Lene Bausager, Damon Bryant, Genevieve Hofmeyr, Claus Clausen
Screenwriter: Baillie Walsh
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Nudity|Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 27, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0K
Runtime: 1h 53m